Banja of Peja

Banja of Peja is located in the north geographic width between 42°41’ and 42°45’, and in the east of Greenwich meridian between 18°0’ and 18°6’, in about 520m above sea level. It is located not too far from the radius of Rugova ridges by getting the southwest position related to Mokna and Currova, and the south one with Accursed Mountains, Korenica and Sejnova, as well as the southeastern one related to Zhleb and Ruselina. Through the Rugova ridge and the edge of Cakorri, Banja of Peja is connected to Plav and Gusinje, ending up to Montenegro.[1]

Based on the sea levels, its landscape and geographical location, Banja of Peja is characterized with medium continental climate. It has short winters, relatively cool and with much precipitation, whereas summers are hot, long, and quite humid. From all the climate elements, the air temperature affects the quantity of tourists most. The air temperature determines the length and quality of the tourist seasons; both winter and summer. The direction, density and the speed of wind affect the general climate in Banja of Peja, as well as most of the trends in tourism. Rainfall presents a motivating and determinate factor of these trends. Their character and distribution control the health-medical function and the recreational manifestation of the Bath and the entire tourist region of Metohija plain.[1]

The archaeological history of Banja of Peja has started in 1974, through the discovery of some archaeological relics while building the hotel. A typical helmet of the Illyrian army was found. In the same year, more digging processes seeking new findings were made, resulting in two graves of a famous couple, which today is named as the royal grave. The grave had a rectangle constructed base covered with stones probably taken nearby. One of the graves was documented with worthy inventory such as needles in omega form, rings and jewelry made of bronze and silver and that led to assumption that it was the grave of the female. The other grave that belonged to the male had guns, plates made of silver and bronze and a ring. This wealthy archaeological inventory belongs to the late Iron Age, the 6th or 4th century BC.[2]

It has to be emphasized that, except the above-mentioned locations, there is also data found for another archaeological location close to nowadays primary school in Bath, found in the General Urbanistic Plan 1997. This location is assumed to belong to the Iron Age. Moreover, there is data from the inhabitants for the existence of a ceramic tube from the center of Corrolluke village in the southeast direction until the highway Peja – Mitrovica. In this same area, while building gas stations, were found other archaeological materials.[1]

According to the director of economic development of Istok, there are 192 economic subjects in Bath.[1]

Based on the data until 1959 in Banja of Peja were many sources of thermo mineral waters on the temperature of 23–48 degrees Celsius that formed calcareous flows up to 1 kilometer.[6] The amount of water and chemicals can be concluded to be split in three flows for carrying thermo mineral waters. The high pressure of gases prevented this flow from puncturing which caused to become the source of thermo mineral water, and during the flow were formed layers of Calcium carbonate. From the flow of water many onix and bigra limestones, which are still created. These diggings were made by experts from Belgrade and Skopje, till the depth of 9m (meters). The more layers of onix and bigra limestones were formed, the smaller was the amount of water that flowed. The close of this canal caused the forming of two smaller sources close to it. When the plastic tubes were put for water transportation, the water amount was calculated and was 18 liters per second.[7]

The latest chemical analysis of thermo mineral wares have been done in several occasions and have given these results:

1. The chemical amount in the thermo mineral waters consists of qualitative Hydrocarbon, Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium groups (HCO3-Na-Ca-Mg)
2. The waters have minerals from 2.04 g/L, pH-6.8

According to research made in 2013 in Banja of Peja, these results were obtained:

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) dominates in the mineral water. It has Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and some of the radioactive gas (Rn). From the radioactive elements the amount of Radon has increased (Ra=0.37 mg/L), while the amount of Uranium has decreased (U=0.0008 mg/L), and the amount of the gas of Radon has decreased too (Rn=8.5 mg/L).[9]

According to previously done reports is concluded that thermo mineral water of Banja of Peja has healing effects. Reactions toward thermo mineral water can be used by drinking it, staying in the pools filled with it, and it claimed that it heals these illnesses:

• Rheumatic illnesses (ex. arthritis)
• Ulcers
• Nerve breakdown
• Injuries in muscles and bones
• Wounds
• Gynecological illnesses
• Skin illnesses [1][10]

Bigar and onix limestones are products formed by thermo mineral water.[11]

There is the functional office of the local community open for inhabitants and located where the ambulance used to be. Today the ambulance is located close to ”Oniks” Hotel.[1]

In the Bath functions one kindergarten, which is through the stationary for physical medicine ”Termal”. The primary school ”Trepca” in Banja of Peja is located in the central zone of the habitat. It serves the whole local community. This school consists of 782 pupils of Albanian and Bosnian nationality. Out of them, 7 pupils are in special education and 43 belong to pre-education. The school has a staff of 49 employees. It is provided with its own library. The parcel of the school has a surface of 2 ha, which includes a small football and basketball court. Most of the inhabitants the school serves are in maximum distance of 800m (metres) from the school.[1]

There is one Healthcare building which has employed 13 employees: 2 doctors, 1 dentist, 8 nurses, 1 cleaner and one employee for general maintenance. According to private centers for emergency, there is no ambulance that deals with primary care. There are some private dentist offices, and two private specialistic ambulances only.[1]

The library of the city is located in the building of the old school. It functions only during the summer. However, there is a cinema within ”Onix” hotel which has 200 seats but for the moment is out of function.[1]

In the beginning of the road to Orroberde, recently has been built a mosque that serves the needs of Banja inhabitants. There is the Muslim cemetery quite close from the mosque. In the other hand, because of the political strategy of the last invaders, an orthodox Serbian church was built, which has the Orthodox cemetery.[1]

In Banja of Peja, except the public and private hotelier infrastructure that partly functions, there are many private houses and rooms that are available for rent. Most of the time, the second option fits best to the requirements of the tourists.[1]

The habitat in Banja of Peja is not close to the highways or railroad, but it slightly connects from the highway R-101 (from Mitrovica to Peja), and the regional road that passes through the habitat connects Istog with Mitrovica and Peja (i.e. the most important chain of Kosovo and region's traffic). The best connection of railway from Pećka Banja is through the railways of Peja.[1]

In Banja of Peja is located one post office that is the property of Post and Telecom of Kosovo (PTK). It has the digital telephonic central with up to 730 numbers. About 380 numbers are used at the moment. Post and Telecom of Kosovo (PTK) spreads the internet signal through the telephonic lines. The best existing opportunity is the underground network for telephone and internet.[1]

The inhabitants are supplied with water from White Drin river.[1]

The project of the fecal canalization system has predicted to include the entire area of the Bath. In 2009 was built only the first phase of this system which includes only 30% of the habitat.[1]

Banja of Peja can develop only through the following way of developments:

1. Developing the infrastructure
2. Improving the existing services and offering needed services
3. Increasing the opportunities for employment
4. Improving the tourist preparations
5. Protecting the ecologic stability, biodiversity and special natural assets
6. Decreasing the air population.[1]

Except the healing aspect, thermal waters of Kosovo can be used to produce thermal energy, but until now there is no detailed research to analyse the producing potential of these waters.[14]