Istog (Albanian: Istog, Istogu, Serbian:Исток, Istok) is a town and municipality in the north-western part of Kosovo, in the Dukagjini Plain, with an altitude of up to 2155 m. Istog has an area of 453.84km<sup>2</sup>.
Understand
Istog municipality lies in the northern part of Dukagjini. The Municipality, in north-west borders with Montenegro and Serbia, in the north-east with the municipality of Zubin Potok, on the east with the Skenderaj Municipality, the south with the municipality of Kline and south-west with the municipality of Peja. The municipality has an area of 453.84 km2. The Municipal centre is the city - Istog. Istog has a convenient geographical position, open on all sides, with the exception of the northern part which is surrounded by high mountains with an altitude beyond 2,000 meters. With good road infrastructure, enabling better communication with other areas of Kosovo. This territory, in geographical and ethno-cultural aspect, known as Podgur. Conceptually, Podguri is an ethnographic sub-province that occupies the northern position of Dukagjini region. The geographical limitation of Podguri begins with the source of the river "Drin", climbs to the top of Rusolia Mountains, followed by the massive of Mokna Mountains, while the east and southeast border is the river "Gujavç". The unification of River "Gujavç" with river "Istog" and "Drin I Bardh" closes geographically the area of Podgurit. Indigenous population have named "Pod I gurit” the rock that forces the three water sources Istog, "Vrella" and "Drini I bardh" to explode at the same altitude. Istog is founded in the centre of Podguri. Geographical location, the climate, natural resources have conditioned Istog to be inhabited since antiquity. Istog was an integral part of the Illyrian-Albanian space. In the territory of the municipality of Istog are found traces of settlements dating from prehistory. Istog was also emblematic of the heritage value of the material and spiritual culture. According to historical sources, it is said that Istog is lying in the territory between large Istog and small Istog, where the river "Istog" river "Qaushi" join. According to the records, there was a Roman colony, which has been placed in that location which belongs to the today’s Istog. Also, Istog is mentioned as the location by the end of XIV century, when this part of Dardania was occupied by Slavs. New neighbourhood of Istog During the Turkish rule, Istog settlement has been familiar with the mills for grain milling and wool processing workshops (zhgun). During the Turkish rule, kazaj (municipality) of Istog belonged to Peja Sanxhak, as Gjakova Berane (Ivangradi) and Gucia Kazan. Istog district in terms of administrative meaning of nowadays was formed in 1913, after the invasion of Kosovo by Serbian and Montenegrin armies. Istog as district centre has been operating from 1912 until 1947. In 1947 the centre was transferred to Gjurakoc. On 1 January 1960, was also a reorganization of local government structures, so that the entire territory of Kosovo was suppressed at all districts. After suppression, the Municipalities of Istog and Gjurakoc, with the centre in Istog have jointed and formed a unit of local administration, as it is functional today. With addition of administrative, educational, cultural contents Istog was declared city in 1978.
By plane
- Prishtina International Airport (Pristina International Airport Adem Jashari, Albanian: Aeroporti ndërkombëtar i Prishtinës "Adem Jashari"), Slatina village, +383385015021214, information@limakkosovo.aero. Prishtina International Airport is the only airport. It is 70.9km (44.05mi) away from the town of Istog.
Public line 1A bus to and from the airport costs €3. It leaves every 1 hour. There are regular buses from Prishtina bus station to Istog. It is 82km (51 mi) away from the town of Istog.
Check for bus schedule between Prishtina - Istog: https://gjirafa.com/Autobus?nisja=prishtin%C3%AB&destinacioni=istog. 2022-05-21
By bus
- Bus station Istog, Str. League of Prizren, Istog 3100, Kosovo. The main bus station is around 5 min walk from the city center.There are regular buses from Istog to the capital Prishtina. Check the schedule on Gjirafa. The bus to Prishtina stops next to Off & On cafe. 2022-05-21
By train
- Trainkos. There is no train line to Istog. Instead you can take the Prishtina-Peja line to Peja, and then take the bus to Prishtina. For bus schedule Istog-Peja, check Gjirafa. The train leaves from Peje two times during the day, 5:32AM and 12:30PM. 2022-05-21
Get around
The town is small and walk-able.
See
Monuments
- Rugova family tower, Llukavc village. The historical tower is located in the village of Llukavc, and its construction began at the beginning of the twentieth century. Its construction took 30 years. Ibrahim Rugova, the President of Kosovo from 2002 until his death in 2006, was raised in this tower. 2022-05-21
- Hetem Beqë Mavraj tower, Saradran village. This is a stone made tower. The tower is more 100 years old. 2022-05-21
- Abdurrahman Kajtazit Tower, Lubovë village. Abdurrahman Kajtazi tower, XIX century. The tower has three floors and was built by carpenter Dibran. It was prepared by Haxhi Zeka. It is not restored. 2023-03-04
- The stone to the old fountain, Shushica village. In 2015 was discovered a stone which is quite old. The stone has a length of about 1.3 meters. 2022-05-21
Galleries, Museums
- Istog Museum, Skenderbeu St., Istog (In the House of Culture in Istog), 42.77758°, 20.48708°. The museum was established in 1999. It is a museum that preserves historically important, archaeological and cultural treasures. 2022-05-21
- Museum of Gurrakoc prison (Muzeu i burgut te Gurrakocit), Besim Kabash St, Gurrakoc village. It was built in 1948. 2022-05-22
Parks
- Istog City Park (Parku i Istogut), Fadil Ferati St. 2022-05-21
- Gurrakoc Park (Parku i Gurrakocit), Besim Kabash St, Gurrakoc. 2022-05-22
- Parku i Bajes (Parku i Bajes se Istogut), Baja village. 2022-05-22
Do
Istog offers easy access to nature with mountains peaks exceeding 2,000 m with several types of activities being organized year round: hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking, camping, mountain running and paragliding.
- Apline Club Podguri (Klubi Alpin Podguri), Gurra e Kocit st, neighborhood Brahim Uka nr.8, +38344224477, klubialpinpodguri@gmail.com. Contact Klubi Alpin Podguri for hiking, moutaineering, mountain biking, camping, mountain running, paragliding, Via ferrata etc. 2022-05-21
- GuideKS (Kosovo Tourist Guides Association), guidesinkosovo@gmail.com, +38349372639, guidesinkosovo@gmail.com. umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. 2022-05-21
Buy
Eat
- Trofta (Hotel-Restaurant Trofta e Istogut), St. Bajram Gashi, 42.780815°, 20.482420°, +383 45 120 104, trofta@trofta.eu. Fresh fish from crystal water that comes from the source of Istog. 2022-05-21
- Restaurant Morea, St. Shkoza, 42.784408°, 20.477800°, +38344224096. 8AM-1AM. 2022-05-21
- Restaurant Freskia (Freskia), Rruga per Burimin e Ujit, 42.7862°, 20.4800°, +383 44 138 580. 2022-05-21
- Kulti i Dionizit (Dionizi), +383 44224477, klubialpinpodguri@gmail.com. 20EUR 2023-03-04
Sleep
- Hotel and Restaurant Troja, Rruga për Burimin Ujit (Road to water srouce), 42.786551°, 20.481235°, +383 48 766 200, info@hoteltroja.com. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:30. High end hotel and restaurant. 2023-03-04
- Hotel Felix Events, Rruga Fehmi Agani, 42.779304°, 20.494049°, +383 44 868 424. 2023-03-04
- Hotel Scanderbeg, 42.786115°, 20.484002°, +383 44 171 708. 2023-03-04
- Hotel Onix, Rr.Onix nr. 66 31010 Banjë, Istog (15 km away in the direction of Peja), 42.72259°, 20.38923°. A historical thermal resort. 2023-03-04
Drink
- Off & On, 162 Istog,Kosovo, +38344862387. 07:00- 24:00. 2023-03-04
Connect
Wireless Internet is widely available in cafés and restaurants throughout the city, although it's a good idea to ask if one is available before you sit down. Free public Wi-Fi is also available around the city through PTK (username: ptk, password: telekomi). Internet cafés are also available at a cost of €0.60/hour with drinks served.
Several private phone calling shops with long-distance calling are available. You may also use the state telco company PTK Istog branch downtown or several of its kiosks around the city to buy calling credit and use phone cabins.
Mobile telephony providers Vala and Ipko provide 3G and 4G internet telephony.
Go next
Nearby
- Peja/Istog Baths - The bath is a highlite of the region offering mineral water which erupt from the group through marble stones.
Further away
- Peja - closest town to Istog with access to Rugova Mountains.
- Pristina - the capital of Kosovo.
- Prizren - Jump in a bus (around 2-hour bus ride) and have a day off