It is located in the Rugova region on the eastern section of the Accursed Mountains along the Peja's Lumbardh in the western part of Kosovo.

The Patriarchal monastery of Peć is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Medieval Monuments in Kosovo.

From the end of the nineteenth century until today, the city has been the site of nationalist aspirations and claims for both ethnic Albanians and Serbs, often resulting in tense inter-ethnic relations and conflict.

The municipality covers an area of 602 km2 (232 sq mi), including the city of Peja and 95 villages; it is divided into 28 territorial communities.

[3] The city is located in a strategic position on Peja's Lumbardh, a tributary of the White Drin to the east of the Accursed Mountains.

[5] In 1220, Serbian King Stefan Nemanjić donated Peja and several surrounding villages to his newly founded monastery of Žiča.

The town became the center of the Sanjak of İpek (or Dukagjin), governed by the Albanian Mahmud Pasha Dukagjini as its first sanjakbey (lord).

The villages with a certain Albanian majority were Osak (Usak), Kramor, Ljepovaç, Trakagjin, Strelec, Romaniça, Sredna Çirna Goi, Nivokas, Temshenica, Trepova pole, Novasel, Dobri Lipari, Boshanica, Brestovac, Baç (Beç), Tokina pole, Novasel (another Novasel), Dujak, Dobroshi i Madh, Vraniq, Mraç or Çirna Potok, Dolina Çirna Goi and Preloniça.

The inhabitants of the two Christian neighbourhoods - Olivir and Gjura Papuxhi - had a blend of characteristically Albanian and Slavic/Orthodox anthroponomy.

[17] During this period the town of Peja had a majority Muslim population, the Ottoman tax register from 1582 lists 158 households with only 15 being Christian.

The organization, led by Haxhi Zeka, adopted the character of the earlier League of Prizren to defend the rights of Ottoman Albanians and seek autonomous status within the empire.

[23][better source needed] Ottoman rule came to an end in the First Balkan War of 1912–13, when Montenegro took control of the city on 28 October 1912.

Peja was taken by Serbian forces under the command of Kosta Pećanac on 13 October 1918, taking approximately 2,000 Austro-Hungarian prisoners of war.

[24] After World War I, the city became part of Yugoslavia (at first officially called the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes).

Following Italy's capitulation in the last months of 1943, several hundred Serbs were massacred by Albanian paramilitaries in Peja and its vicinity.

[30] The municipality covers an area of 602 km2 (232 sq mi), including the city of Peja and 95 villages; it is divided into 28 territorial communities.

The trail wanders through 3 countries with mountain views and can be supported by local guides and tour companies.

In the city there are a number of tour operators that function, with Balkan Natural Adventure, being the main one with a full palette of services.

In close proximity to the city of Peja lie the White Drin Waterfall and the Bukuroshja e Fjetur Cave.

It consists of a nine-year basic comprehensive school (starting at age six and ending at the age of fifteen) secondary general and professional education commonly known as high school and higher education at Haxhi Zeka University.

Winter break runs from late December to early January, dividing the school year into two semesters.

Activities included screenings of the latest films, public discussions, music concerts, theatrical performances and children's programs.

However, backlash emerged against the idea of taking this important historic and cultural site from the local community.

The protests secured Kinema Jusuf Gërvalla a spot on the temporary list of protected cultural heritage buildings in Kosovo.

[citation needed] The city is home to the first Olympic Medal for Kosovo, won by Judoka Majlinda Kelmendi in Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016.

Her team also has won numerous other medals including gold and bronze in the World and European championships.