[4] As a border fort of Grand Principality of Serbia, the fortress gained importance in 1093, when the Serbian ruler Vukan, launched his conquest of the Kosovo region (then part of the Byzantine Empire) from there.

[3] In the 12th century, the fort would play a pivotal role in the struggle of expanding the Serbian state under the Nemanjić dynasty.

By its subjection to Turkish rule, Zvečan lost its importance as a military fort[7] and the authors of the travel books from the 16th century, Benedicte Kuripešić and Evlija Čelebija referred to its as a deserted town on the hill to the north of Kosovska Mitrovica.

[citation needed] In 1660, Čelebija describes it as "consisting of 300 houses with tiled roofs, a congregational mosque, a khan, a bathhouse and several fine shops".

[citation needed] From 1912-45, little was done on the research and restoration of Zvečan; it was only after 1945 when many archeological excavations were carried out in the town which was put under the protection of the state.