Restoration of Gazi Mehmet Pasha Bath Phase One Complete
The completion ceremony of the restoration work on the Gazi Mehmet Pasha Bath in Prizren, Kosovo, was held with the presence of esteemed guests. Kosovo Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Hajrulla Çeku, Kosovo Regional Development Minister and Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP) Chairman Fikrim Damka, KDTP Deputy Fidan Brina Jılta, Turkey’s Consul General in Prizren Celal Doğan, and representatives of Turkish institutions in the country attended the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Minister Çeku expressed his gratitude to the experts from the Prizren Region Cultural Heritage Center who worked on the restoration. He emphasized the importance of making these monuments functional and serving the community. The Minister also highlighted the role of the restored monument in welcoming visitors and tourists, as well as contributing to the local economy of Prizren.
Experts involved in the restoration efforts shared that new structures and artifacts were discovered during the restoration work. The first phase of the restoration, funded by the Kosovo Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, focused on the men’s section of the bath.
The Gazi Mehmet Pasha Bath, constructed by Shkodra Sanjak Bey Gazi Mehmet Pasha in 1573-1574, is recognized as one of the largest baths in the Balkans. Originally serving the people of Prizren during the Ottoman period, the bathhouse now hosts cultural and artistic activities. The second and final phase of the restoration, which will concentrate on the women’s section and landscaping, is set to begin soon. The completion of this restoration project will not only preserve the historical significance of the monument but also provide a space for cultural exchange and tourism in Prizren.
