Cultural heritage includes cultural archaeological, architectural, movable, spiritual heritage and cultural landscape regardless of the time of creation and construction, type of construction, beneficiaries, creators or implementers.
Archaeological heritage is the entirety of material culture created by humanity in the past which enhances our understanding of the knowledge, structure, activity and culture of ancient societies. As such, it has precious values and is unrepeatable. It consists of objects of tangible culture, monuments, groups, localities that appear in partial form as a single construction, in group, locality or broader and are distinguished by features and values from an archaeological, historical, anthropological, ethnological, social, scientific, cultural and technical point of view.
Ulpiana - an ancient Dardan, Roman- Byzantine locality - is one of the largest ancient urban centres in the Republic of Kosovo and is located in the south-east of the city of Prishtina. It is a multi-layered locality built on several layers with a cultural layer up to 3.5m deep. Life and civilization in Ulpiana have been witnessed since the transition era, from the Bronze to the Iron Age. Ulpiana's greatest development was reached between the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D., a period when it becomes a strong political, economic and cultural centre of a vast territory within Dardania, becoming the main area of the spread of ancient civilization. In the 6th century A.D, in the Emperor Justinian period, Ulpiana was renamed as Justiniana Secunda.
The archaeological locality of Dresnik is one of the most important localities not only in Kosovo but also in the region, located in the village of Dresnik in the municipality of Klina. The on-going excavations in this locality have resulted in the identification of several architectural monuments significant for recognizing the Roman civilization. Rooms with multi-coloured mosaics are considered to be a special discovery. Other discoveries include surrounding walls of the ancient city with a width of 3.7 meters, as well as many coins of various Roman emperors of the 3rd and 4th century A.D., and some marble-made pieces of statues, hence, it is about ‘’Municipium’’.
Prizren fortress is located in the eastern part of the city, over a massive rocky hill. The fortress has reinforced walls with towers, casemates, warehouses and a range of other facilities. In construction terms, it is divided into three separate complexes known as the Upper City, the Lower City and the Southern City. In terms of fortification over the centuries, it dates to different periods such as the ancient period, the period of Byzantine rule, the medieval period and the period of Ottoman rule. The first archaeological excavations started in 1969 to continue again in 2004, 2009-2018. Prizren Fortress is one of the most visited and most important assets of cultural heritage in the Republic of Kosovo.
It consists of monuments, ensembles and localities that appear as single constructions, in group or broader locality in modest or monumental shapes, which are distinguished by features and values from an architectural, historical, artistic, aesthetic, environmental, social, cultural, archaeological, anthropological, ethnological, technological, technical and scientific point of view.
Decani Monastery is located in the valley of the river Lumbardh, in the west of Kosovo, and is a unique construction in Kosovo. The exterior part of the church is a mix of Roman and Gothic styles, whereas its interior has combined traditional Orthodox and Byzantine drawings. The monastery is a monumental building, basilica with five naves, covered in cubes, and stands on tambour and narthex with three naves. The church along with the cupola is 32 meters high, which was known as "Deçani i Lartë" during the medieval period. The main architect of Decani Monastery was the master Fra Vito from Kotor, a Franciscan monk, who had decorated the monastery with many elements that set apart Romanesque. Within Decani Monastery there are frescoes from the XIV century.
The Sinan Pasha Mosque is located in the Historical Centre of Prizren. It was built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, a person of important rank in the Ottoman administration. Its design layout is rectangular, with a niche in its south-eastern side, which makes the mosque more specific compared to other mosques in Kosovo. The interior is a unique area, enlighten by levelled windows, with a dome painted in floral motives. Due to its prevailing position, dimensions, shape, proportion of minaret to the dome, construction materials and technique, endowments in interior, the Sinan Pasha Mosque represents one of the most characteristic monuments of Prizren.
It is located at the centre of the old city of Prishtina, built in the second half of the XVIII century. It is a typical ensemble of the civic architecture of Oriental style, composed of four buildings: the family house, the guest house, the stable and the magaza. The houses and the stable reflect architectural harmony of proportions and elements, while the magaza is a unique example of a store - storehouse built in the XIX century. The residential yards are surrounded by high walls constructed of mud-brick and timber beams. During different periods of time (almost two centuries), the complex has undergone many changes as a result of changing the function. But as a whole, complex "Emin Gjiku" remains one of the best examples of townhouses in the early XIX century.
Movable heritage consists of physical objects of cultural value. This heritage may belong to cultural groups, communities or a people. Movable cultural heritage is an important part of a people and country, and its protection is a legal obligation. Movable heritage objects may be of artistic, historical, archaeological, technological or natural value.
The Goddess on Throne is one of the most renowned archeological artifacts. The anthropomorphic clay figurine which belongs to Vinca culture is high 18,5 cm and 5-7 cm in width. The Goddess is made of baked clay, known as terracotta that according to archaeologists is a specific kind of argil. The Goddess on the Throne is female divinity representing cult of Magna Mother. The anthropomorphic figure stoically presented, in a sitting position with magnificent handling position, and arms placed on its waist. The divine’s pentagonal shaped head and sharp face features and contours, with sharp nose and wide eyes. The tiara appears in the form of a dented semi-circular shape
A unique artifact, not only in Kosovo, but also for the region. A musical instrument, 8cm in height made of fine backed clay, hollowed on both the shaft and the highest axis, served as a kind of Neolithic flute. Named "Ocarina of Runik", it is the earliest musical instrument discovered in Kosovo. The soft sound and vibrations released by this musical instrument present a rich spiritual and musical world of Neolithic man of this area.
Circular Labyrinth of closed shape is one of the most important discoveries in Kosovo. In the center there is a labyrinth, the vine of the grape is up, while the leaves down. Labyrinth represents Dardanian religious-philosophical ideas (heliolatric character) of the cycle of life. It was found in the epigraphic monument in the village of Smire, Municipality of Vitia in the South of Kosova.
Cultural heritage is not limited to monuments and collection objects. Spiritual heritage is a broad field composed of traditions, lifestyle and developments inherited from ancestors, that continues to perpetuate to successive generations through the knowledge and social practices manifested in traditional crafts about life, nature, and universe. Spiritual aspects include forms of cultural expression of popular traditions or customs, language, legends, celebrations, dances, music, songs, rituals and artistic expressions.
Sheep shearing ritual is carried out in mountainous areas, mainly the mountains of the Dukagjini Plain, lying from the area of Istog, Peja, Gjakova and Prizren. In this part lie various ethno-geographic regions and villages of these municipalities, known historically for the well-developed livestock culture, mainly sheep farming, which is a tradition that still continues. A marked event for shepherds is sheep shearing, known as ''shearing period'' by the stockbreeders. This event marks a celebration of traditional collective work containing rituals and various region-characteristic livestock feed. It is characterized as an organized collective work of shearers, free of charge, which takes place at the end of July or early August in an open space - suitable field, where the people are gathered upon the call by the house owner. The main ritual is presented as a special ceremony for the family and the whole community, as the sheep shearing is carried out from one shepherd's hut to the other, whereby many traditional foods are cooked: boiled cream (Mazë e zier), Fli, Përpeq, Pie etc
Filigree, as an advanced technique of artistic artwork of jewellery craft, reached the culmination in the 19th century, mainly in the urban centres known for precious metals production and processing, as the city of Prizren was at that time. Continuity of this tradition passed down through generations by local filigree craftsmen, nowadays is threatened to quench, despite the high artistic achievement, the great variety of jewels reaching distant markets of three continents (Europe, Asia to Africa). The filigree works that mainly include women's or men's jewels presents the specific work of using and combining thin threads, twisted with extraordinary precision, applied art, talent, and the high artistic qualities of filigree masters.
Epos of the Heroes is one of the most important values coming from Albanian spiritual culture. The presence of legendary epic songs appears in many ethnographic regions of Albania and Kosovo, such as Peja, Gjakova, Prizren, Deçan, Rahovec and others. These legendary epic songs are usually accompanied by the well-known musical instrument "Lute". The main characters of these highlighted songs are the two brothers Muji and Halili. Some of the other songs are: ''Ajkuna Mourns Omer'', ''Wedding of Muji, Power of Muji, Hours of Muji, Wedding of Halil, Muji and the three nymphs of the mountain, Halili pret Pajo Harambashin etc. Epos of the Heroes is a set of poetic songs (VI-VIII century), reflecting the centuries-old inter-ethnic confrontations and bloody conflicts between Illyrian-Albanian and Southern Slav settlers in Illyria (Balkan). These songs are among the last active epos in Europe at the beginning of this millennium and are rightly said to have their place in the world epic realm.
Means a field, as perceived by humans, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors; an essential component of the human environment, an expression of the diversity of their joint cultural and natural heritage, and a creator of their identity.
Near the city of Ferizaj is located the village Nerodime, which is characterized by the rare nature feature, the phenomenon of Bifurcation. The Bifurcation of Nerodime River is unique in Europe, and is the second as a phenomenon in the whole world. The flow of this river is divided and deposited in two directions, one into Aegean Sea and one into the Black Sea. Nerodime bifurcation enjoys legal protection since 1979 as a ‘Special Nature Reserve’. Along this river, in the vicinity of Bifurcation, is located the 600-year old mill that complements the cultural landscape of this realm. This Mill which was owned in the past by Nika family, with four functional stones for grinding, nowadays it operates with two stones only. Bifurcation of Nerodime river may be turned into a well-known touristic destination, since it is the one of its kind in the Republic of Kosovo, and also in Europe.
Mirusha waterfall is situated in Llapceva Village of Malisheva Municipality. To make this landscape even more beautiful is the Mirusha river, the downstream of which passes through a gorge which is known as Canyon of Mirusha River. In this part of the canyon are located 12 waterfalls and 16 rivers, which is a rare morpho-hydrological phenomenon. Mirusha Waterfalls was declared Nature Regional Park in 1982/83 from the Municipality of Malisheva. While the Government of the Republic of Kosovo in 2012 issued the decision for promulgation of Mirusha Waterfalls as a Nature Monument of Special Interest with a total surface of 598.4 ha. Mirusha waterfall is part of a park of particular natural, scientific, cultural and tourist importance
The place known as "Verrat e Llukës" is located in the village Upper Lluka (Lluke e Eperme) of the Municipality of Decan. It is worth mentioning that there were some developments and historical events occurred in this area. So, from 1900 to 1910 this area was considered as a battlefield since Albanians gathered here to fight against the Osman invaders. Likewise, this place is known for the "Assembly of Verra e Llukës (Kuvendin e Verrave të Llukës)”, “Great Albanian Alliance of Verra e LLukave (Besëlidhja e Madhe Shqiptare të Verrave të Llukës”), while the story of Verrave të Llukës reached the culmination on May 1, 1990, where over 500 thousand Albanians from all ethnic Albanian areas gathered there, to establish the Albanian youth initiative for reconciliation of blood feuds, supported by lots of intellectuals and led by Anton Çeta and Zekrija Cana. This initiative was strengthened and became very influential in the unity of Albanians and the later movement for freedom, democracy and independence of Kosovo.
Kosova Council for the Cultural Heritage © 2024