town in Kosovo
Rahovec is a largely rural region in Kosovo centered around the town of Rahovec. It is known for vineyards and wine-making. Rahovec is located in the agricultural rich Dukagjini Valley in the region of Prizren of western Kosovo.
The town had 16,000 inhabitants in 2011, while the municipality 56,000 inhabitants and 35 villages.
The town is known for a local dialect, Orahovac dialect (ravëqki; rahovecianshe, gjuha e Rahovecit) which is a mixture of Albanian, Serbian, Turkish and Bulgarian languages. Its use has declined rapidly after the Kosovo War, with Albanian becoming the predominant language.
The town is easily accessible by bus from the nearby towns of Prizren and Gjakova, and the capital Prishtina.
The town is walkable though built on hillsides. Hitchhiking or biking to destinations nearby is possible and agricultural tractors are common place in the region.
The town is home to a large Tarikat Muslim Community with dervish lodges or tekkes found across the town. The nearby Christina Orthodox sites in Hoça e Madhe (Velika Hoča) 8 km away and Zoqishtë (Zociste) include monasteries and churches and are well worth the visit. The Serb populated region is home to the winery of the Decani Monastery. Make sure to ask for raki and wine.
Two wineries nearby, Bodrumi i Vjetër (Old Cellar) and Sefa Wines offer tours of the wineries and vineyards as well as wine tasting.
Biking across the region is promoted. In this area you will ‘Wine Routes/Rruget e Verës’ signs scattered around the region.
Ask for homemade wines and raki.
Traditional food is similar to all of Kosovo. Locally grown produce is outstanding.
Ask for homemade wines and raki.