The past through ageless masses of stone

What if you had the chance to experience history right at your doorstep? It might sound far-fetched at first, but I’ve actually had this privilege all of my life. I’m talking about the city of Vushtrri, which is not particularly grand in size, but monumental in terms of history. I grew up in a city where I could see historical monuments whenever I went for a walk or to get groceries. However, it was easy to lose sight of the cultural and historical significance those monuments have.

One of Vushtrria’s most famous monuments is a stone bridge called “Ura e vjetër e Gurit”. Revisiting the centuries old stone bridge brought back memories from my childhood that I hadn’t visited in a long time. Looking at the pathway full of rocks, I remember how my grandfather used to take me on walks along the bridge, and what an exciting journey it used to be each time.

One thing that struck me about the bridge is the missing water. After all, what purpose does the bridge serve if not to cross a river? Of course, being the curious child I was, I would often ask this question to my grandfather. He then would explain how the river Sitnica had moved slowly throughout the times. Nobody really knew how or when exactly it had happened. But now the river was farther away, disconnected from the bridge it used to be under.

Nonetheless, it was fascinating to see a waterless bridge up close. Walking along the bridge, I noticed the different colored bricks used to build it. For the first time I analyzed the intricate pattern they displayed and felt a sense of nostalgia. They looked familiar and yet so different now. It felt like I was rediscovering a part of the city I had lived in my whole life. At first glance, this old bridge might not seem so extraordinary. However, revisiting it evoked a sense of calmness and wonder in me that everyone should experience at least once in their life.

My second and final stop in my journey was “Kalaja e qytetit” which was an old stone castle located in the heart of Vushtrri. This castle is a center for various artistic and cultural activities that were held in the past. It’s very easy to spot, since it’s placed in the middle of the town square. I could see the many renovations this castle had gone through when I was walking on the wooden path that was built for visitors. 

The interior of the castle contained a room full of photographs that captured historical monuments in Vushtrri. The photographs gave me a deeper insight into Vushtrria’s past, a part I could only read about in books. Looking at the pictures I wondered about the people from previous generations who got to see these monuments when they were built. I wondered if they thought that these buildings would survive the strain of time. I was mesmerized by the amount of history that was displayed right in front of me. It was interesting to see the passage of time represented through past depictions of the city.

After revisiting monuments I was so accustomed to seeing, my perspective on the importance of appreciating the past grew enormously. During this visit, I noticed so many little details I had overlooked in the past. At the same time, it made me realize just how quickly times can change. Although the city of Vushtrri looks different now, its historical monuments will always be a reminder of what people in the past have gone through.

 

By Gresa Barileva