Monuments of Kosovo comprise all the monuments that are located in 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.
Most of the monuments in Kosovo were built by local craftsmen's with local materials under conditions that were influenced by the empires that invaded Kosovo. 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.
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. The field of popular architecture has value upon indigenous features that are considered to have one of the most original constructive structures in the whole Balkan. Kosovo has a strategic geographical position, since through Kosovo's territory natural traffic lines and roads passed which had an importance for cultural movements, heritage, historical, and art developments. During the last war in 1998-1999, more than 500 monuments were systematically targeted by the state forces, where more than 80% of them were destroyed, burnt or damaged. In many of them, only the construction walls have remained.
UNESCO has classified Kosovo's monuments as Serbo-Byzantine monuments, Islamic monuments of the Ottoman Period and Vernacular architecture.
Mediaeval monuments
In the sixth century Justinian I reasserted Byzantine control over Kosovo 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.
Monasteries
Gračanica monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery. It was founded by the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321. It is located in Gračanica and belongs to Serbo-Byzantine style. The monastery is known for its iconostasis, icons and manuscripts which express the wealthy and artistic values. It is declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1947 by Republic of Serbia, under status number "СК 1367", while it is a protected monument by Republic of Kosovo also with the status number 427/1947. On 13 July 2006 it was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List under the name of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo as an extension of the Visoki Dečani site which was overall placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
According to the archaeological excavations in 1957, 1963 and 1964, this monastery was constructed on the ruins of 13th-century church, which was also built on the foundations of a 6th- to 11th-century Christian three-naved basilica. 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. It was dedicated to Blessed Lady/Theotokos of Gračanica. This church was also mentioned in Benedict the 11th Pope, in 1303, as a catholic parson church. Only the church remains from the original monastery complex, which was intended as the seat of the bishops of Lipljan.
Saint Archangels Monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery, founded by the Serbian Emperor Stefan Dušan between 1343 and 1352 on the site of an earlier church, and it is located near the Lumbardhi i Prizrenit river in Prizren. At the time when it was constructed, the building contained a monastery and two small churches. A really important feature to be mentioned is that Stephen Uroš IV Dušan of Serbia and Balša I were buried in this monastery. It is declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1948 by Republic of Serbia, under status number "СК 1366". Today it is a protected monument of Republic of Kosovo, under the status number "464/48". It presents a very important archaeological site and photography is forbidden.
Monastery of Banjska is a Serbian Orthodox monastery, founded by the Serbian king Stefan Uroš II Milutin between 1313 and 1317. It is located in the Banjska village in municipality of Mitrovica. The medieval monastery was built on the foundations of an earlier sacral Paleo-Christian church, used by Albanian Christians. The western influences are evident on the remains of architecture and sculpture. The church design was influenced by Adriatic coast Romanesque architecture. In 1948, while Kosovo was in Yugoslavia, the monastery was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance under status number "СК 1371". It is also a protected monument with the status number "0301-551/90" by the Republic of Kosovo.
Patriarchate of Peć is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the municipality of Pejë with some buildings thought to originate in the 13th century, near Rugova valley and is one of the most outstanding complexes from Medieval period. It consists of Saint Apostles Church (13th century), Saint Demetry and Saint Nicolas Church (14th century) which all have the same narthex and monumental narrative style. In the 13th century, the Serbian Orthodox Church adapted, reconstructed, and transformed the church of Saint Apostles in Peja for their needs. 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. In 1990, the Patriarchate of Peć was added to Serbia's "Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance" list, and on 13 July 2006 it was placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List as an extension of the Visoki Dečani site which was overall placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Visoki Dečani is a Serbian Orthodox monastery located near Deçan. It was founded in 14th century by Stefan Dečanski, King of Serbia. The monastery's main architect was Fra Vita, a Franciscan friar from the Montenegrin coastal town of Kotor. It is managed by the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Raška and Prizren. The monastery has been under the legal protection of Serbia since 1947 with a designation of Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance. The monastery is part of the World Heritage site named "Medieval Monuments in Kosovo".
Churches
Our Lady of Ljeviš is a 14th-century Serbian Orthodox Church in the town of Prizren, and its one of the oldest standing structures in Prizren. The construction of the church was commissioned in 1306-9 by Milutin of Serbia. It was built on the site of an earlier Byzantine church, whose original name Metera Eleousa was preserved in Slavic as Bogorodica Ljeviška. During the Ottoman Empire, the church was converted to a mosque. Since 2006, the church is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site named Medieval Monuments in Kosovo.
Church of Saint George is a small one aisled church with barrel vault which is located at the center of Prizren. It was constructed in the 14th to 16th centuries. It belongs to the late Byzantine style and has rich wall paintings. It has very important historic and artistic values. It is protected by the law.
Church of St. Nicholas was constructed at the beginning of the 1340s in Prizren. The building has small dimensions, yet very coordinated proportions and belongs to a local style of building. There are evident transformations of the building among the past few years and it has important historic and artistic values.
St. Peter's Basilica Church is located in the mining colony of Stari Trg near the Trepça Mines, 9 km from Mitrovica. During the 14th century Stari Trg was a settlement of the Turkish colony, therefore it is referred as the ‘Turkish Trepça’. The church was built during the 13th century and was used till the 16th century. It was built for the Saxon miners and Catholic merchant traders in the city of Trepça. Therefore, it is known as the Latin, Catholic and Saxon Church. The church was a three nave basilica built in Gothic architectural style and construction techniques. Today only its foundations and a single wall of the eastern apse have remained on which can be seen the interior Byzantine murals. It is a public property and has been protected since 1958 with the status number 8/58.
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. 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. In 2006, the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Mosques Pirinaz Mosque was constructed in the second half of the 16th century. It was founded by the Ottoman Vizier, Piri Nazir. According to the legend, it is believed that “Stone of Lazar”, which is in the mosque's garden, was used to behead Prince Lazar during the Battle of Kosovo in 1389, who was buried in the same mosque with the Sultan's permission before being moved to Ravanica Monastery in Serbia.
Imperial Mosque (Also known as The Big Mosque) is located in the oldest part of Pristina, next to Sahat kulla (The clock tower). It was built in 1461 by Mehmet II Fatih as witnessed by the Arabic engraving above the main door. It has a triangle shaped yard and painted floral decorations and arabesques grace the walls and ceiling on the inside.
Sinan Pasha Mosque is located in Nenkalaja, on the right side of Lumbardhi i Prizrenit river. It was constructed in the beginning of the 17th century. 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. It is considered to be one of the most important mosques in Kosovo.
Hadumi Mosque was constructed by Hadum Sylejman Efendi, in the second part of the 16th century. It belongs to classical Ottoman era, but yet it has many traditional features involved in its structure. This mosque has only one dome and its interior contains many floral paintings. It is one of the best examples of the arabesques/baroque style buildings. This mosque offers warmth to the city and it is considered to be the most important mosque in Gjakova. One special thing about this mosque is that the dome stands above the constructive elements trompe, a particular example for Islamic architecture.
Gazi Ali Beg Mosque was built in 1444. During the last war in 1999, its [minaret] was destroyed by a Yugoslav grenade. In 2002 the mosque was restored and the minaret was rebuilt, unfortunately not corresponding to the original one. Besides this, authenticity of the mosque and its surrounding was damaged by removal of the carrel near the entrance and some grave-stones from the yard. It is a protected monument by law with a status number 02-985/66.
Mosque of Çarshia was built in 1761 during the Ottoman invasion. Based on the old pictures, it used to be a quadrilateral building covered with a four-sided roof. The upper floor was reached by the one-sided stairs placed on the left and on the right of the entrance. The gallery used for females. The mosque was burnt down by the Yugoslav military in 1999. It was reconstructed after the war.
Bajrakli Mosque is located in the oldest part of Peja, at the old market area more specifically. It was built during the Ottoman period. The mosque's paintings and decorations are mainly realized by using stone. Bajrakli Mosque has important historic and artistic values.