architecture in kosovo

An indigenous Islamic tradition is a practice in which Kosovo has been home to for over 600 years due to its wealthy archeological heritage consisting of various mosques, tekkes (brotherhoods), Islamic libraries, medreses (theological schools), bazaars, hamams (Turkish baths), and such. Those traditions as a part of the Kosovar heritage have suffered substantial damages as a result of the latest conflict. Besides those of the Kosovo culture, there are other architectural monuments remaining in those areas where minorities rest. Most importantly, are the Serbian Orthodox churches and monetary that still stand strong in the most important areas of Kosovo.
Most architectural monuments in Kosovo are linked to religion due to the impact that the different overpowering countries have had over us. The Turks, for example impacted their Muslim religion onto us, and therefore it gives reason for the many ancient mosques that you will see around you during your stay. The mosques, like the Minaret of Arasta Mosque in Prizren or the Mbretit Mosque in Prishtina, can date all the way back to the 14th and 15th century. There are many traditions that have come along with these mosques. For example, in front of the Mbretit Mosque, there is a square like space that has been a place for the men of the village to gather and discuss heated topics of the town. This tradition still occurs today.
The Serbs, mostly being Orthodox, have left their architectural monuments as well. You can find Orthodox Churches and Monasteries in many places of Kosovo, some of which are not used anymore, and many that are for the Serb residents today. One of the main Serbian monuments highlighting the capital city, Prishtina, is the Serbian Orthodox Church located behind the National Library. It was founded in 1990 under the rule of Slobodan Milošević and was initiated to be known as the biggest church in Kosovo, but a halt came to the construction of it in 1999 due to the conflict. During the war, the church was rocked by an explosive, but left harsh damage, and today it is left like that and seen as a historical monument of a crucial time period in Kosovo as well as a religious symbol.
Gračanica is one of the many historical Serbian sites in Kosovo. It is located not far from Prishtina, and has architectural influences of late Byzantine. The monastery of Gračanica is located there as well and it is one of the main attractions of the village. It was built on top of an older Byzantine basilica, and is said to be one of the most exquisite bestowals of King Milutin in the 13th century. The mixture of brick and stone used for construction of the church walls is typical Byzantine design, and the fresco in the interior of the Church is, as well, the product of well known Byzantine painters of Milutin’s time. Overall, the structure of Kosovo’s architecture differs from city to city because of the number of ethnicities and cultures that have once lived there or continue to, and each tells a distinct story of Kosovo’s past.
Kosovo was inflicted with severe armed conflict and savage “ethnic cleansing” in the period of early spring 1998 to the end of summer 1999. The fate of Kosova’s rich cultural heritage, including its mosques, churches, monasteries, and other various religious monuments, historic urban areas, archives, traditional resident al architecture, libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions or educational centers, is much less well-known than the human tragedy that took place.
Out of the four most preserved historic areas in Kosovo, three of them suffered massive destruction; those areas consist of old historic cities known as Gjakova, Peja, and Vushtrri. On the other side, the historic city of Prizren endured from the war without much devastation among its historic monuments apart from the burn down of the 1878 Museum of the Albanian Language of Prizren in March 28, 1999. However, two Ottoman-era bridges have suffered undeviating hits in the city of Gjakova.