The Tibetan Bridge and the Ura e Fshajtë (Holy Bridge)

The Gorge of the White Drin (canyon) is a small gorge located in south-western Kosovo, divided by the White Drin river, near the village of Xerxë. The gorge is relatively short, about 900 m long with a depth of 45 metres. At the entrance to the gorge is the Ura e Fshajtë (Holy Bridge), an old Ottoman bridge that links the banks of the river between the municipality of Gjakova and Rahovec. Because of its hydrological and geomorphological values, in 1986 it was taken under legal protection as a Natural Monument. The protected area covers a surface of 199 ha. Of this, 124.96 ha belong to the municipality of Rahovec, and 73.86 to the municipality of Gjakova.

The canyon is a morpho-hydrological phenomenon with genetic, visual and educational values. It was formed during the Neogene period. The gorge has typical characteristics and contains many calcium formations. The Ura e Fshajtë and the gorge of the White Drin represent important values and tourist attractions. Water-diving competitions are also organised from the bridge.

Near the bridge there are two rocks known as “Shqiponja Rock” (Eagle Rock) and “Skënderbeu Rock” (Skanderbeg Rock), which bears a carving of the figure of the 15th-century Albanian nobleman Gjergj Kastrioti – Skënderbeu. The portrait of Skënderbeu was painted on the rock in 1968 by Mexhid Yvejsi on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of his death.

A new tourist attraction was inaugurated on 02.09.2021, near the Ura e Fshajtë, precisely in the canyon of the White Drin. This is the “Tibetan Bridge”, which crosses from the municipality of Rahovec to the municipality of Gjakova and vice versa.