Sharri National Park is located in the south-eastern part of Kosovo. Sharri Mountain represents a separate branch of the Dinarides and gigantic natural border between Macedonia and Kosovo. With 70 km of length and 30 km width, it represents one of the largest and the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula. The Law on the Sharri National Park defines an area of 53,469 hectares, within the territory of five municipalities: Kačanik, Štrpce,Suva Reka, Prizren and Dragaš.
The Assembly of Kosovo in 1986 declared part of Sharri Mountain the “National Park”, with 39,000 ha. The Law on the Sharri National Park was adopted in 2012. The following year, a decision is on the establishment of the Sharri National Park is adopted.
With over 1500 species of plants, of which as many as 20% are endemic, national park Sharri Mountain is a true example of the raw beauty of unspoiled nature. Add to that more than 200 species of birds, lots of animal species and 147 species of butterflies of exquisite beauty and you will easily understand why Sharri Mountain is considered one of the most important protected ecological areas of biodiversity of the central Balkans.
Due to the large areas of intact ecosystems and limited human action the National Park is a stronghold for several threatened species of European importance. These include large mammals such as the brown bear, wolf, lynx, chamois and golden jackal. Species that are the main prey of large carnivores, pour deer are also important. This value is increased by the presence of similar ecosystems and related populations in neighbouring countries, Albania and Macedonia. Mountains cover 48% of the area, pastures 49%, meadows 1.6%, and gorges 1.4%. Forest ecosystems include the last remnants of rainforest endemic and relict species of Macedonian pine (Pinus pence) and the forest of Bosnian pine (Pinus heldreichii ssp. Leucodermis), which are mixed with spruce (Picea abies) and fir (Abies alba) at slightly lower altitudes. High altitude of the dwarf pine, which dominates in the shrubbery, is also of great importance. Higher areas are dominated by alpine and sub-alpine meadows, cliffs and rock creeps, on the limestone or silica substrate.
Formation of land in the National Park is primarily the result of tectonic shifts, which created the main geomorphologic features, glacial depressions and large masses of moraines. The final impact had the water, so that the entire area of the Sharri Mountain is interspersed with numerous river valleys and streams, which flow mainly into the rivers Bijeli Drim and Lepenac.
In the southern parts of the National Park, upstream from valleys of rivers Mužica, Bolonjska, Blateštica, Suva, valleys are narrow, deep, forming gorges and canyons.
The richness of the NP Sharri besides natural, refers also to the cultural values, which include a wide range of aćno cultural heritage in terms of buildings, traditions, beliefs and knowledge. In the northern part of the Park, in the municipality of Suva Reka there is a monastery at Mušotište, which is a special protected area. Characteristic cultural heritage is found in areas Opolje and Gore. Ethnography of the area is characterized by the colourful dressing style, which is used today as well on special occasions. The cultural heritage includes also the preserved music and folk traditions.
The caves “Ruseničke sobe (rooms) in Rusenica, and “Slušanje đaputanja” in Opilje have special significance as well.
This part of the Balkans is “an undiscovered corner of Europe”, which now attracts tourists with an adventurous spirit. The National Park provides good conditions for active holiday in nature, such as walking, hiking, sightseeing wildlife during the summer. In winter, skiing is represented, as well as other winter sports.
The National Park is located close to the five city centres: Kačanik, Štrpce, Suva Reka, Prizren and Dragaš. From the capital of Kosovo, Priština, it is 70 km away. Given that it is located on the tripoint of Kosovo, Albania and Macedonia, the Park can be reached via border crossings as well. There is currently one border crossing between Albania and Kosovo. It is located north from the Sharri Mountain and Koritnik in the valley of the river Bijeli Drim, near Vrmnica on the main road connecting cities Kukeš and Prizren, with regular bus line. There are two border crossings between Kosovo and Macedonia. One is in the valley of the river Lepenac, at the international corridor E65, which connects Priština and Skoplje. The other is located on the eastern slopes of the Sharri Mountain, Jažince – Blace near Globočica, at the local mountain asphalt road, which connects part of the Kosovo road E 65, with Tetovo in Macedonia.
Address
Directorate for Administration of National Park ”Sharri” – Prizren, Republika of Kosovo
Bajram Kafexholli, Drejtor / Director Tel. 00381 (0) 29 210 049 / Mob. 00377(0) 44 263 188
Nail Kryeziu, Udhëheqës i Sektorit / Head of the forestry section Tel. 00381 (0) 29 210 050 / Mob. 00377(0) 45 308 164
Bekim Bytyqi Administrata &Financa / Administration& Finance Tel. 00381 (0) 29 210 050 / Mob. 00377(0) 45 308 125
Telephone
+381 29 210 049
+377 44 263 188
+381 29 210 050
+377 44 308 164
+381 29 210 050
+377 44 308 125
Mail: pnsharri@hotmail.com