The white bell tower on Prishtina's skyline belongs to a cathedral built this century. Here is its story, the lift to the top, and what to know before you visit.
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From many streets in central Prishtina you can see a tall white bell tower. It belongs to the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, one of the newest landmarks in the city, and it rises right behind the ZOE Hotel sign. Here is the story behind it and how to visit.
Why Kosovo built a cathedral for Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje on 26 August 1910 to the Bojaxhiu family, and in the words quoted in her Vatican biography, "By blood, I am Albanian." Prishtina honours her in more than one way: the city's main pedestrian street is Mother Teresa Boulevard, and its Catholic cathedral carries her name.
From foundation stone to consecration
The cathedral's milestones follow her dates. Its foundation stone was blessed on 26 August 2005, the 95th anniversary of her birth, at a ceremony where Kosovo's then president Ibrahim Rugova spoke. Construction began on 5 September 2007, the anniversary of her death in 1997.
The cathedral opened for worship while still unfinished on 5 September 2010, with around 2,000 people at the first Mass. It was consecrated on 5 September 2017, twenty years to the day after her death, at a Mass presided over by Cardinal Ernest Simoni as Pope Francis's special envoy.
In 2018 the Vatican created the Diocese of Prizren-Prishtina, with its cathedral in Prizren and this church as co-cathedral. In Prishtina, everyone simply calls it the cathedral.
What to see inside
Relics of Mother Teresa, including drops of her blood, are kept to the left of the altar, according to the diocese. The complex also houses the Bogdanipolis cultural centre, which hosts exhibitions, conferences and book launches, and the Ernest Koliqi library.
The bell tower and the view
The bell tower rises around 70 metres, and visitors can take a lift to the top for views across the city, as Prishtina Insight reported in 2024.
The cathedral does not publish opening hours or a price for the tower online. Ask at the entrance, or contact the parish office through the Diocese of Prizren-Prishtina's website before you go.
Tips for your visit
- 001It is a working church, so avoid walking around the interior during Mass and dress as you would for any active place of worship
- 002The diocese does not publish Mass times online, so ask the parish office if you would like to attend one
- 003The cathedral's address is on Bill Clinton Boulevard (Blv. Bill Clinton), not Mother Teresa Boulevard, which is further north
- 004Combine it with the National Library, a short walk away on the university campus
Staying nearby
ZOE Hotel is on Agim Ramadani, a 4-minute walk from the National Library and 10 minutes on foot from Mother Teresa Boulevard. Our location page has every walking route, and our guide to things to do in Prishtina has more ideas nearby. When you are ready, see the rooms.
Stay near the cathedral and the library
ZOE Hotel is on Agim Ramadani, 4 minutes on foot from the National Library. Pay on arrival, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before check-in.