Novo Brdo

Novo Brdo is a town in the Gjilani district of eastern Kosovo.

Understand

In Latin documents written as Novus Mons, Nova Monte in some documents by Republic of Ragusa, and in Saxon miners' documents as Nyeuberghe was mentioned in the historical documents as early as 1326. Novo Brdo was a metropolis at the time, with a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today, and residential sections sprawling all around. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle, or fortress, was thought at one point to have dated back to the Byzantine Empire.

On 1st June 1455, Novo Berda was besieged by the Ottoman Empire for the second time where the last Despot in Fortress was Lekë Shpani (Alessio Span).

Legend says when Novoberdo was a city with 40,000 inhabitants, London was a village.

Get in

Novo Brdo is one point of a triangle with Pristina and Gjilani. It is 57 min (41.7 km) from Pristina via M25-2 and R123 and 39 min from Gjilani (31.8 km) via M25-2 and R123.

Taxis from Pristina and Gjilani cost €20-25 one way, €40-45 round trip (May 2022).

Get around

There is no public transport in Novo Brdo, only taxis and tours.

See

Novo Brdo (Artana) it is known as a very rich place in heritage, for the medieval fortress and monuments around.

• 1 Novo Brdo Fortress (Artana), 16000 Novobërda, ☏ +383 44 465 471, rural.tourism.nb@gmail.com. In Latin documents written as Novus Mons, Nova Monte in some documents by Republic of Ragusa, and in Saxon miners' documents as Nyeuberghe was mentioned in the historical documents as early as 1326. Novo Brdo was a metropolis at the time, with a huge medieval fortress built on the top of an extinct volcano cone, the remains of which can be visited today, and residential sections sprawling all around. In the outer wall of the fortress, a large cross is visible, built into the stones. The castle, or fortress, was thought at one point to have dated back to the Byzantine Empire.
  First of June 1455 Novo Berda was sieged by Ottoman Empire for the second time where the last Despot in Fortress was Lekë Shpani (Alessio Span) Albanian, son of Pjeter Spani from Principality of Drishti (Drivast) Albania. (updated Aug 2022)
• 2NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Osman Effendi Mosque, 16000 Novobërdë (nearby the fortress), ☏ +383 44 465 471, rural.tourism.nb@gmail.com. Built in 1758 by Osman Effendi, it was rebuilt after being badly damaged during World War I. It's smaller than the original, and the existing minaret remained unfinished. (updated Aug 2022)
• 3 Saint Nikola Cathedral, 16000 Novobërda, ☏ +383 44 465 471, rural.tourism.nb@gmail.com. Built by the 12th century above the ruins of a paleo-Christian basilica. (updated Aug 2022)

Novo Brdo (Artana) Old Mine - Roman Shaft

Do

• Hiking, ☏ +383 49372639, guidesinkosovo@gmail.com. Hiking can be done on your own. If you however wish to engage a local guide, GuideKS is the umbrella organization of tourist guides in Kosovo. They will put you in touch with a local guide suitable for your activity. (updated May 2022)

Go next

• Gjilan
• Prishtina