Podujevë or Besianë (Albanian definite form: Podujeva or Besiana; Serbian Cyrillic: Подујево) is a city and municipality in the Pristina District in Kosovo.

[4] Llap Region, which Podujevë is part of, was inhabited early due to favorable natural conditions.

[5] Towards the end of the 9th century, the region of Llapi falls under Bulgarian rule, whose king was Knyaz Boris I.

[citation needed] In 1381, Prince Lazar gave Orlane (a village in Podujevë) to his endowment, the Ravanica monastery.

[12] During the 15th to 18th centuries, Ottomans attempted to develop agriculture, farming, vineyards, beekeeping and handicrafts within the region.

[31] Many soldiers from the villages of Llapi and Gallapi promised their loyalty to Isa Boletini in 1912, in the Bradash pledge.

[46] From 1929 to 1941, Podujevë was part of the Morava Banovina of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia; between the two World Wars, Albanians living in the region had no political rights.

[48] The Albanian language was not used at all in public administration and schools,[48] Many residents were forced to migrate to Turkey, while their land was given to Serbian and Montenegrin colonists[49] who would eventually take 62% of infields.

[53] They managed to expel the Serbian colonists,[54] but the consequences were far greater, as in the beginning of 1921 many massacres against the Albanian population would occur.

[76] Prior to this, Yugoslavia's five-year plan of 1981-1985 did not offer a viable solution to the economic problems of the region's residents.

He and his associates began the first actions against Serbian police, before he was caught in an ambush near the village of Pestovë, resulting in his death.

On April 19, Serbian forces allegedly used ethnic Albanians as human shields along the road between Podujevë and Pristina.

[89] The city was part of the subdivision of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), called ZOLL (Albanian: Zona Operative e Llapit, lit.

[101] The most notable river is Llapi, the main branch of Sitnica, which runs through the middle of Podujevë, springing from the Albanik mountains.

[103] In the upper part of it, the river runs through steep places but when it enter Llap's hollow, its speed is moderated.

The trees which are found in this zone include: beech (fagus sylvatica), hornbeam (carpinus orientalis) and ash-tree.

There are several types of fish, in the Llapi River also, in the upper part it was once quite rich with brook trout (barbus barbus) that lives in fast and cold waters, stream catfish, bream, mullet, bream, carp (cyprinus carpio), northern pike (esox lucius) etc.

[125] Other relevant sectors which belong to the agriculture, are: farming, beekeeping, poultry, vegetable, arboriculture, land cultivation, and so forth.

[128] From the most common minerals extracted for industrial usage are silicates (Si), carbonates (Ch), gravel (Gs), clay (Cl), nickel (Nl), lead (Pb) zinc (Zn) and aluminum (Al).

Considering some strategic elements, as nearness of the urban center Pristina, streets with national character, and the others advantages have made the trade sector dominant in the last 10 years.

[134] During the summer season this lake attracts thousand of visitors around Kosovo, who come to spend holidays in spaces, as beaches are offered there.

[135] These beaches offer spaces for familiar relaxation, which provide the visitors with sandy football and volleyball grounds, and also playgrounds for children.

[137] Among architectural and cultural monuments of local and national importance are also: Two towers in Hertica, the one of Sali Aga and Ajet Muçolli, Complex in Reçica, the Monument of Tabet Llapashtica, House Museum of the national martyr Hasan Ramadani, and the Tower of Demë Ahmeti.

[141] Is worth mentioning that there is a school in Gllamnik named "Kongresi i Manastirit", which offers a special class for people with disabilities which has 27 students and 2 teachers.

[144] A number of organizations and artistic associations focused on drama, comedy, sporting competitions and other cultural activities are located in Podujevë.

[144][145] The dancing ensemble called “The Downtown Dancers”, founded in 2002, are an important part of the cultural life in Podujevë.

Some of the famous members of the group were Dr. Abdullah Vokrri, Dr. Rifat Blaku, Mr. Bislim Aliu, Skënder Hyseni, along with others.

Various theatrical groups from Kosovo, Albania, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other regional countries participate in this festival with their performances.

[157] Some villages located deep in the municipality do not have access to public transportation, owing to their remoteness and small population.

[158] In June 2024, a new bus station opened,[159] replacing the older, informal one, though as of September the same year it had still not started operation.