The capital of Kosovo is Priština.
Priština is also the largest city in Kosovo. In the Albanian language, Priština means bad seasons.
Priština is the capital of Kosovo, a Balkan country.
Priština is located in the northeast of Kosovo. Kosovo is an independent republic recognized by 115 countries in the world. Kosovo’s neighbors are Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, and Macedonia.
When did Pristina Become the Capital?
The human history of Priština dates back to the 2nd century BC, but we can say that the first turning point for the city was the earthquake in 518 AD, and therefore, the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian was building the city from the ground up.
The emperor puts the name of this city, Justiniana Secunda. In the 6th century AD, the Slavs occupied most of the Balkans and occupied Priština.
For 800 years, Kosovo remains within the Serbian Kingdom. Priština is important for trade because it has a position in the middle of Western Europe and Asia. Moreover, minerals such as zinc and silver originate from the mountains in Priština (especially from the Kopaonik Mountains). In a few centuries, this place becomes one of the major trading centers.
Serbians remained in power until the Ottomans captured Kosova in the Kosovo War in 1389. However, Kosovo and Serbia remain under Ottoman control from 1389 to 1912. Over the centuries, thanks to Albanians and Kosovans, the Muslim population in Priština began to dominate the Christian Serb population.
The first uprisings against the Ottomans in August 1912 were Albanians, but only a month later, in September, Serbia captured Priština and the first seeds of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to be established in 1918 were thrown. This kingdom will cover the borders of the present 7 countries of the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia).
During the Second World War, the Nazis, who occupied Priština as well as all the Balkans, took the Jews in the city to different cities of Germany and the Jews were executed there. The population of Priština thus fell to 9,500.
In 1946, the name of the country was changed to the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia and was governed by socialism until 1990. Since the collapse of communism in Soviet Russia in 1990, the peoples of Yugoslavia declare their independence one by one.
In 1999 some Albanians from Priština voluntarily left the city and went to Albania. After the six Balkan countries, Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 as the seventh country. By declaring Kosovo’s independence, Priština became Kosovo’s capital.
Features of Pristina
Priština has a population of 204,725 according to 2015 data. Priština has a surface area of 572 square kilometers. Under the influence of the continental Balkan climate, Priština is dominated by cold weather. In January and February, the temperature will not be more than 3 degrees.
It is around 10 degrees in March and April. May and June are in the 18-20 degree range. In July and August the air temperature is 25 degrees Celsius and the hottest days of Priština are experienced.
In Priština, as in all Kosovo, both Serbian and Albanian are spoken. Very few people speak English.
Priština is connected to other Balkan capitals, such as Belgrade, Skopje and Tirana, both by road and rail, and the distance between these cities is quite short.
Priština’s sister cities are Ankara and Tirana. Since 2009, Kosovo has benefited from the IMF fund. Kosovo’s most important trading countries are Balkan countries, the USA and Turkey.
Besides all these, Kosovo is one of the newest countries in the world which is not recognized by many countries.
Important Places to See in Pristina
Priština, the capital of Kosovo, is one of the most popular stops of Balkan tours with its long history. The city had the opportunity to develop comfortably from the cultural point of view because it remained under the rule of many empires.
Although this development was interrupted by the Yugoslavs and there was a great loss in terms of places to visit in Priština, the city managed to wrap all its wounds with the declared independence in 2008.
The best time to travel to the city on the outskirts of the Golyak Mountains is summer. Moreover, if you go to the city during this period where the temperatures are at reasonable levels, you can join the festivals and visit the popular places without any problems.
Places to see in Priština are Mother Teresa Street, Imperial Mosque, Priština National Library and Skanderbeg Statue.