As we sipped our coffee in Mitrovica, white flecks of winter began to drift down from the sky. Gloomy-grey hung over the town as if the residents were never meant to wake up.
We traversed the river and piled in our friends’ car–the first time we had been in a car since arriving in Mitrovica months ago. After a few miles of criss-crossing the Ibar River as it weaves north from Mitrovica, we arrived in the village of Banjska, clinging to the side of an evergreen hill. Though the village is quite small, maybe 30 houses clustered on the hillside, it is a village of great fame.
Banjska Monastery, 14th century
Centuries of neglect and intermittent war caused the destruction of most of the monastery. In the 1990s, the monastery was rebuilt and it seems from the scaffolding inside the cathedral that renovation continues.
The outside of the main cathedral of Banjska Monastery. The checkerboard blocks are the original 14th century portion.
After the monastery, we drove down the hillside to a more infamous site. Banjska is known not just for its monastery but for its baths as well. You can see from the name that the villages natural hot spring was once of great significance.
Inside Banjska Spa
Inside Banjska Spa
Inside Banjska Spa
Inside Banjska Spa
The Spa is still working, warm and steamy
Banjska’s Spa
Want of Wonders 
So sad to see it this way.
Yes it is sad, but amazing that the hot springs is still functioning on its own somehow.
As ever, a fascinating insight into Kosovo. Our exploits involved only a few days in Pristina and then the rickety bus down to Skopje.
It’s a place with endless mysteries and interesting stories.