Monuments of Kosovo

Kosovo has an abundance of multicultural and rich heritage dating back to the Bronze Age, later followed by Illyrians, Roman, Byzantine/Serbian Orthodox and Ottoman periods.

[1][2][3] Monuments that still stand are those of the Byzantine/Serbian Orthodox and Ottoman periods, which have historical, cultural, architectural and artistic values for our priceless legacy.

Among the antique cities, Byzantine and Orthodox churches and monasteries, Ottoman Mosques, Hamams and Bazaars thrived the building culture of the common people – the residential dwelling.

[1] Kosovo's monuments are unique common property for which the society is responsible to maintain them in order to transmit their authenticity to future generations.

[5][6] In the sixth century Justinian I, himself of Dardanian origin, reasserted Byzantine control over Dardania after the Hunnish invasions and engaged in an extensive building/rebuilding programme in the region.

From 839 to the early thirteenth century the region fell under Bulgarian control, with intermittent periods when the Byzantines were able to reassert their rule.

From the early thirteenth century, until 1355, Kosovo was part of the Serbian Empire under the Nemanjić dynasty; and it was in this period that most existing medieval Christian buildings were built.

[18][19][20][21] The Christian basilica, which was the center of the Dardanian Ulpiana Eparchy in the 13th century, was rebuilt as a new church above the middle nave foundations.

[15] Patriarchate of Peć is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the municipality of Peja with some buildings thought to originate in the 13th century, near Rugova valley and is one of the most outstanding complexes from Medieval period.

[3] This church had a stone-masonry roman style (processed and dressed stones) with opening massive walls and small windows that represent the core of the complex of the Patriarchate of Peć.

[29] It was built on the site of an earlier Byzantine church, whose original name Metera Eleousa was preserved in Slavic as Bogorodica Ljeviška.

[15] 155 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries were destroyed by Kosovo Albanians according to the International Center for Transitional Justice,between June 1999 and March 2004.

[31] The Medieval Monuments in Kosovo, founded by the Nemanjić dynasty, is a combined World Heritage Site consisting of four Serbian Orthodox Christian churches and monasteries.

[36] Its enormous dome is fitted harmoniously into the square mass of the building whereas its interior is painted in strong light colors, decorated with geometrical designs.

[39] Hamam is located in the core of the old city center of Mitrovica, among other important monuments as the Old Mosque, Madrasah, Old Bazar, Han and the Clock Tower.

Hammam of Haxhi Beu was built over the years 1462 - 1485 as part of a complex of Hasan Bey, who was the leader of the Sanjak of İpek.

It was originally built in the style of alternating stone and brick as hammam of men, but later it was decided to be added to section on women.

[2][23] Kullas are special because of their form, construction, yard entrance, stone gallery, shoot holes, men room, window openings and ceiling.

Its topographic position, dominating the city, the natural landscape and well thought architectural configuration are the main reasons that this castle is considered to be one of the most important, interesting and visited historical monuments in Kosovo.

Later chroniclers (Ami Boué, Aleksandar Giljferding) are noted that the fort itself is derived from the times of Dušan, and that it is an old fortress with a tower in the middle of the town.

[25] This is supported by two pyramid-shaped twin stones on the southern wall, which according to the legend represent the two-headed eagle and the union of Illyrian-Arber princes.

The fortress was built in the early 14th century by Stefan Milutin, King of Serbia to protect gold, silver, iron and lead mines which were abundant throughout the area.

As a border fort of the Raška state, the site gained importance in 1093, when the Serbian ruler Vukan Vukanović, launched his conquest of Kosovo (then part of the Byzantine Empire) from there.

[6] Since then it was used as an informal meeting point of the citizens, while today it is isolated and claimed as a specially protected area by the Ahtisari plan and has a status number 859/49.

While according to professor Hilmi Saraçi, it was built during the economic growth of the Dardanian state of Illyria in the 5th century (article “Ancientness, designation, cultural, historical and archaeological heritage of the city of Vushtrri”).

[40] In these days with his Fountain-heas serves all the people and guests to the site itself where they can stay, drink the cold water of the Fountain, talk with their friends and order the delicious coffee in restaurants in that area too.

[57] The museum includes ancient weapons, tools, traditional clothing, handicrafts and other elements which are all aged during the Ottoman Empire.

[25] What makes this building unique are its pronounced facades, its cantilevered elements on the upper floor, the large gates with separated entrances for pedestrians and vehicles, old-fashioned locks and hinges, and the decorative stone slate canopies.

[42] The balanced front façade made by hewn stones together with the entering arched gate and ‘dyshekllëk’ make the tower quite civilized and sophisticated.

[1] The dividing walls and the interior elements as floor, doors, window frames, stairs, and fences are also made of wood.