The arrival of Saxon miners resulted in the emergence of mining towns in the Balkans in the 13th and 14th century, among them Novo Brdo.

[6] Despite much of Novo Brdo's early history being a mystery, the development of the town was heavily influenced by Saxon migrants, with mining operations first starting under the reign of the Serbian King Stefan Milutin.

[7] After 50 years, the Novo Brdo mine became the most prosperous in Medieval Serbia and housed a state mint that produced the most silver in the country.

[7] Saxon miners introduced efficient mining techniques and implemented a legal system that granted them greater autonomy.

[8][9] Ragusan documents attest to the presence of a significant number of Albanians living in Novo Brdo throughout the 14th and early 15th centuries, including members of the Catholic Albanian clergy with names such as Gjergjash and Gjinko, Gjini, son of Gjergji, the presbyter (1382); the reverend Gjergj Gega, Nikollë Tanushi, Gjergj Andrea Pellini and Nikolla Progonovic.

Many Albanian Catholic priests were registered as residing in Novo Brdo, as well as in towns like Janjevo, Trepça, Prizren and others.

Such a large settlement was unusual in Europe where 90 to 95% of all medieval European cities had populations of less than 2 thousand.

[12] Despite a Serbian population within the city, merchants from the Republic of Ragusa managed international precious metal trade within Novo Brdo.

[7] Prior to the Ottoman conquest of the city, Novo Brdo was a Catholic stronghold within the region.

This event is described by Konstantin Mihailović from Ostrovica near Novo Brdo, who was taken by the Ottomans along with some 300 other boys to be trained as Janissaries.

[16] By the early 20th century, Novo Brdo's population dwindled, with most inhabitants moving to the more easily accessible area of Gjilan.