Pristina, Europe’s youngest capital city, is an ever-growing maze of high-rise towers and traffic-heavy streets interspersed with thriving cafes and busy bars. Kosovo’s largest metropolis is slowly starting to attract a steady stream of overseas visitors, helped – in part – by its relatively low prices and improving transport connections.
For first-time visitors to Pristina, there is no better spot to get your bearings than atop the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa. Stretching 76 metres into the skyline, the tower offers a bird-eye view of the city’s most iconic buildings and boulevards.
Construction on the cathedral began in the late 2000s, with a formal consecration taking place in September 2017. When we first visited Pristina in 2015, the building was open to the public, but it was still a work in progress. Thankfully, the tower had recently opened for visitors. A small lift took us up to the top, and it remains one of our favourite memories from our maiden trip around the Balkans.
On our second visit to Pristina in 2023, the cathedral was still not quite finished. A second tower remained wrapped in scaffolding, not yet topped out. Nevertheless, the whole building was looking marvellous in the bright October sun. We headed up the tower in late afternoon, just as the sun began to set over the city. It was a treat from start to finish – the views were just as superb as we remembered.
From the infamous National Library to distant suburbs and skyscrapers, here are 12 photos of Pristina from the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa.
The National Library of Kosovo from the tower
For many visitors to Kosovo’s capital, the architectural star of the show is Pristina’s immense National Library. Almost in the shadow of the cathedral’s tower, the library instantly captures your attention thanks to its striking, daring design.
A small series of steps surround the building. At the top of the steps, dozens of concrete plinths form the base of the library’s structure. Above the plinths, an eclectic series of cubes, domes and twisted metal caging creates an effect that has to be seen to be believed.
From the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, you can really appreciate the full scale of the library’s unique design. When viewed from ground level, the library’s exoskeleton is a sight to behold. From the tower, however, you can admire every single one of the 99 white domes that dominate the library’s roof.
Meanwhile, to the left of the library, the unfinished Church of Christ the Saviour stands tall amidst dry shrubbery and worn-out grass. Construction on this enormous Serbian Orthodox church began in the early 1990s, before grinding to a halt following the 1999 conflict. It remains a symbol of the divisions and tensions within Kosovo, and it’s quite the contrast to the library next door.
George Bush Boulevard – a newly pedestrianised thoroughfare
When we first visited Pristina, George Bush Boulevard was another of the city’s busy main roads. Traffic used to roar along it, the air thick with exhaust fumes.
In the intervening years, George Bush Boulevard had been completely pedestrianised. A row of wooden huts, reminiscent of the style you might find at a Christmas market, lined both sides of the road. Families walked in tandem along the street, pushing buggies and playing freely on the empty tarmac.
On this late afternoon, the tall buildings that line the boulevard had plunged the road into shadow. The sunlight just about caught the tops of some trees, which were starting to show the first hints of autumnal colours.
Read next: What to see and do during one day in Pristina.
Bill Clinton Boulevard – a busy traffic artery
Running at a right angle to George Bush Boulevard, Bill Clinton Boulevard is one of the main roads out of Pristina. It is also home to the infamous Bill Clinton statue, commemorating the ex-US President’s role in the 1999 war.
When seen from the top of the cathedral tower, the road seemed to stretch as far as the horizon. Staring almost directly into the sun, we could barely make out any details in the distance.
Somewhere down there was Pristina bus station, hidden behind row upon row of tall apartment blocks. We spotted a small flow of pedestrians wheeling heavy suitcases and lugging large bags behind them, making their way to the bus station to complete their journey.
Read next: Four unmissable cities you should visit during your travels in Kosovo.
The unfinished tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
One of the most interesting sights from the top of the tower is the direct view of the other, unfinished belfry. A pair of builders gingerly navigated the scaffolding, putting the finishing touches to the final jobs of the day.
There was little protection. A couple of thin planks of wood wrapped around the exposed scaffolding – nothing to suggest that they were balanced dozens of metres above the pavement.
Romantic moments as the sun sets
As the sun sets over Pristina, a trip up the tower is a popular pastime for couples. We weren’t the only pair to have made the journey to the top. There were half a dozen couples enjoying the views, taking selfies and picking out landmarks in the distance.
One duo opted to relax on a small step looking south over the city. They watched the heavy traffic crawl along Pristina’s busy main roads, enjoying the last of the afternoon sun, flanked by walls smothered in graffiti from visitors across the world.
Read next: Exploring the Patriarchate of Peć Monastery in Peja, Kosovo.
The distant Fadil Vokrri stadium
Looking out to the northwest, we spotted the blue and white seats of Kosovo’s national stadium. The Fadil Vokrri stadium, as the ground is officially known, is a 13,980-seater arena that hosts all of Kosovo’s international football matches.
From the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, we could only see about a third of the stands. Still, this was probably the best vantage point in Pristina to catch a glimpse inside the stadium without actually going to a match.
Read next: How to travel between Pristina and Peja by train.
The jagged rooftop of Pristina’s Palace of Youth and Sports
A close runner-up behind the library in the contest for Pristina’s most eye-catching building, the Palace of Youth and Sports is an impressive architectural masterpiece.
Opened in 1977, the Palace boasts two indoor arenas. Only the smaller arena is currently in use – it hosts everything from handball and basketball to athletics and concerts. As the sun set over Pristina, the building’s jagged roof caught the late afternoon light, glowing a golden orange and casting long shadows on the concrete below.
The skyline of Pristina from the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa
As well as being able to pick out some of Pristina’s most famous buildings, a trip up the cathedral tower is also a great opportunity to get a sense of the size of Kosovo’s sprawling capital.
The suburbs stretch for miles, growing out over the rolling hills. In the distance, dusty tracks wind through forested slopes – a sign that the city still has plenty of space to expand.
Most of the houses boast rich terracotta roofs, a classic style across the Balkans. The occasional minaret peeks through the jungle of buildings. Radio and TV towers, taller still, stand on the summits of faraway hills.
You can walk all around the tower, enjoying the opportunity to view Pristina in all directions. There is undoubtedly a split in the city’s architecture. Pristina’s southern neighbourhoods were dominated by concrete apartment blocks and skyscrapers whose windows glowed orange as they reflected the setting sun. Looking north, the city centre high-rises quickly gave way to two- or three-storey houses that dotted the hillsides.
The Cathedral of Mother Teresa Tower in Pristina: How to do it
Opening times: The tower of the Mother Teresa Cathedral in Pristina is open from 8am to 7pm every day. If you wish to attend a service at the cathedral, check out the Facebook page for the latest timetable.
Entry fee: A ticket for the tower costs 1.50 euros each. Entry to the cathedral itself is free.
Getting to the top: Thankfully, there is a lift that takes you straight to the top of the cathedral tower. You do not need to climb any stairs.
At the top: There is plenty of room at the top of the tower. Robust metal bars offer reassuring protection from the drop below. However, if you suffer from vertigo, you may find the exposure a challenge.
Top tip: If you will be at the top when the clock strikes the hour, we suggest keeping track of time, as you are directly beneath the bells. When they ring, it gets loud – we both visibly jumped when the bells began. You might not want to be leaning right over the edge when this happens!