Ura e Gurit is the old stone bridge over the Lumbardh River in central Prizren’s old town. It connects Shatërvan Square with Saraçhane, making it a useful point to orient yourself while walking between the riverbanks and nearby old-town streets.
- Location: Central Prizren, crossing the Lumbardh River.
- On foot: About 69 minutes from Hotel OK.
- Bridge length: The present bridge is 17 metres long.
- Walking landmarks: Arasta Bridge is to the east; Nalet Bridge is to the west.
Finding Ura e Gurit
Ura e Gurit links Shatërvan Square on the left bank of the Lumbardh River with Saraçhane on the right bank. The Prizren tourism site describes the Stone Bridge as connecting Shadërvan Square directly with the old Saraçhane road.
Once you reach the river in the old town, use the two banks as your reference: Shatërvan Square is on the left, and Saraçhane is on the right.
Arasta Bridge lies east of Ura e Gurit, while Nalet Bridge is west of it, giving you nearby points to orient a riverside walk. The Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren is another landmark to include in a central-old-town itinerary.
The bridge and its riverside setting
The bridge spans the Lumbardh in the historic centre, where the river and adjoining streets form its setting. The present structure is 17 metres long and has a cobbled walkway 4.20 metres wide. The earlier bridge was approximately 30 metres long.
The original construction date is not known precisely. Its materials, style and building technique suggest the late 15th or early 16th century; the Prizren tourism site identifies the construction period as the 16th century.
The old bridge was made of carved stone joined with lime mortar, with three arches: a higher central arch and smaller arches at either side. It was used only by pedestrians.
Riverbed construction in the 1960s caused serious structural damage, and road construction on the right bank damaged the right arch in 1963. Flooding on 17–18 November 1979 destroyed the bridge.
Reconstruction began on 5 June 1982 to a design by engineer M. Gojković, and the rebuilt bridge was inaugurated on 17 November 1982. Elan carried out the reconstruction under the supervision of Prizren’s Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments.
Walking routes nearby
Ura e Gurit gives you a clear riverside point to start from: cross between Shatërvan Square and Saraçhane, then follow the river east toward Arasta Bridge or west toward Nalet Bridge. These nearby bridges help you keep your bearings as you walk along the Lumbardh.
To extend a central-old-town walk, you can fold the bridge into a one-day itinerary for Prizren’s historic centre. The bridge itself is a pedestrian crossing, rather than a vehicle route.
Photography and respectful access
The bridge’s three-arch design and its position over the river give you two straightforward ways to frame it: from a riverbank, with the water in view, or from the crossing, looking toward either side of the old town. The walkway is cobbled and 4.20 metres wide, so keep to the pedestrian route while taking in the structure.
What to check before you go
For current local visitor guidance, check the official site of the Prizren tourism service before you go. If you’re setting out from Hotel OK’s four-star rooms, Ura e Gurit is about a 12-minute drive away.
FAQs
Where is Ura e Gurit?
It crosses the Lumbardh River in central Prizren’s old town, linking Shatërvan Square with Saraçhane.
How old is the stone bridge?
The original bridge’s exact construction date is undocumented. Its materials and construction style point to the late 15th or early 16th century.
Was Ura e Gurit rebuilt?
Yes. Flooding destroyed the former bridge in 1979, and reconstruction was completed in 1982.
Can you cross the bridge on foot?
The bridge was used only by pedestrians. Its present cobbled walkway is 4.20 metres wide.