[2] Historical records and archaeological evidence indicate that Deçan has been inhabited since ancient times, with organized life established by the Illyrian tribes, particularly the Dardani, who lived in the area.

Remnants of this history can be seen in Deçan, where over seven Catholic churches, Illyrian burial mounds, decorative items, stelae, and other artifacts, remain as traces of its past.

As part of their feudal obligations, the local population of Deçan provided labour and payment in products to the Visoki Dečani monastery.

In the early stages of World War I, by the end of 1915, Austro-Hungarian rule was established in these territories, remaining in place until 1918.

[3] During World War II, after the invasion of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the Deçan region was initially part of the Italian protectorate of Albania until 1943.

[3] After WW2, Deçan, as well as the rest of Socialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo, was a part of SR Serbia and Yugoslavia.

In August 1995 in one of the most serious incidents before the Kosovo War, the Serbian police stations was attacked and set on fire by an armed group.

The medieval Serbian Orthodox Visoki Dečani monastery stands around 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west of the town.