Revival of Historical Buildings through Art: The Case of Prizren
Medina Çeko

Prizren, as one of the cities richest in cultural heritage in Kosovo, represents a distinctive case for examining the revival of historical buildings through art and the impact of this approach on urban tourism. This paper explores how artistic interventions, cultural festivals, and the creative use of heritage spaces have contributed to the revitalization of historic buildings and to the increased tourist attractiveness of the city. Initiatives such as film, theater, and contemporary art festivals organized within historic structures have created a new relationship between heritage and contemporary cultural practices, transforming the city into a “living museum.” Through these activities, historical buildings no longer remain static monuments but become active social and economic spaces. The study highlights that art not only supports the preservation and maintenance of heritage but also directly influences the development of cultural tourism, the growth in visitor numbers, and the strengthening of local identity. However, the paper also emphasizes the need for these processes to be inclusive and accessible to all social groups, in order to ensure that cultural and tourism development remains sustainable and equitable.
This paper contributes to the debate on urban regeneration through art by providing a contextual analysis of Prizren as a model of combining historical heritage with contemporary cultural practices.
Key words: Cultural Heritage, Art, Urban Tourism, Prizren, Adaptive Reuse, Sustainable Tourism

Image: A scene from Prizrenfest, an international open-air theatre festival in Prizren, Kosovo. Photo by Esad Duraki.