KULA ABDULLAH-PACHA-DRENI

This late 18th-century fortified house (Kulla e Avdullah Pashë Drenit, Kula Paše Avdula Dreni) is distinguished by its polygonal tower with loopholes. It was the scene of a violent confrontation in 1878. The kula belonged to Abdullah Pasha Dreni (1820-1878), a prominent Albanian and former Ottoman officer who was a member of the League of Prizren. When the latter launched its first major action at Gjakova/Đakovica on 3 September 1878, Abdullah Pasha Dreni sided with the Ottomans and welcomed here the Ottoman general Mehmed Ali Pasha (a German of French origin who converted to Islam) and four hundred of his men. The kula was surrounded by the rebels and intense fighting ensued. By 6 September, the city was in the hands of the League and there were 280 dead in the Ottoman camp, including Abdullah Pasha Dreni and Mehmed Ali Pasha. The tomb of Mehmed Ali Pasha is located opposite the kula along the Krena River. The old town contains other fortified houses from the late 19th century. All rebuilt after 1999 with varying degrees of success, they cannot be visited. The kula Sulejman-Vokshi (Fan Noli street) belonged to the leader of the Prizren league Sulejman Vokshi. The Mustafa-Vokshi kula (Mithat Frashëri street) was inhabited by his brother, Mustafa Vokshi. Finally, near the clock tower, notice the Riza-Bey kula, erected in 1898, which was the property of another member of the Prizren League, Riza Bey Gjakova.