Deçan | |
|---|---|
Town andmunicipality | |
 Flag  Seal | |
  Deçan  Deçan | |
| Coordinates:42°32′N20°17′E / 42.533°N 20.283°E /42.533; 20.283 | |
| Country | Kosovo |
| District | District of Gjakova |
| Municipality | Deçan |
| Government | |
| • Mayor[1] | Bashkim Ramosaj (AAK) |
| Area | |
• Municipality | 293.94 km2 (113.49 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 20th in Kosovo |
| Elevation | 610 m (2,000 ft) |
| Population (2024)[2] | |
• Municipality | 27,758 |
| • Rank | 21st in Kosovo |
| • Density | 94.434/km2 (244.58/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 3,135 |
| • Ethnicity | |
| Demonym(s) | Albanian:Deçanas (m), Deçanase (f) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+1 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 51000 |
| Area code | +383 |
| Vehicle registration | 07 |
| Website | decan |
Deçan (pronounced[dɛˈtʃan];Albaniandefinite form:Deçani;Serbian:Дечани,pronounced[dɛ̌t͡ʃani]) is atown andmunicipality in thedistrict of Gjakova,Kosovo. The municipality has an area of 293.94 km2 (113.49 sq mi) and it includes the town and 37 smaller settlements. According to the last census of 2024, the municipality has a population of 27,775.[2]
Historical records and archaeological evidence indicate that Deçan has been inhabited since ancient times, with organized life established by theIllyrian tribes, particularly theDardani, who lived in the area. Remnants of this history can be seen in Deçan, where over sevenCatholic churches, Illyrian burial mounds, decorative items, stelae, and other artifacts, remain as traces of its past.[3]
Deçan was first recorded in 1330 in the decrees known as theDečani chrysobulls as being a village with a population of 89 households, consisting of 623 people.[4] The village was one of many feudal holdings of the Visoki Dečani monastery. As part of their feudal obligations, the local population of Deçan provided labour and payment in products to the Visoki Dečani monastery.
The chrysobulls listed thatVisoki Dečani held such rights over 2,097 households ofmeropsi (dependent farmers-serfs), 266Vlach households (pastoral communities) and 69sokalniki (craftsmen) over a large area in southern Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro and north Albania.[5] In the charters of Deçan, there were several cases where a father had an Albanian name and his son would have a Serbian name. This has been interpreted as highlighting the process ofserbianisation in the region.[6][7]
Following themigration of the Serbs in the 17th and 18th century, many ethnic Serbs who lived in Deçan left.[citation needed] The local Albanian population of Deçan who remained continued to guard the local Visoki Dečani monastery.[citation needed]
During the Ottoman era, this region was incorporated into theSanjak of İpek, with its center inPeja. The area was known for its persistent resistance, particularly throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. TheAlbanian League of Prizren in 1878, theLeague of Peja, and the Pari Assembly in Isniq in April 1910 were significant moments of opposition.[3]
In the early stages ofWorld War I, by the end of 1915,Austro-Hungarian rule was established in these territories, remaining in place until 1918. After the Serbo-Montenegrin government reoccupied the region in 1918, a new territorial organization was implemented, consistent with other occupied areas. At that time, Deçan was included in the Peja and Gjakova Districts. In 1929, with administrative and territorial adjustments, the area that is now the Municipality of Deçan was placed within theprovince of Zeta.[3]
During World War II, after the invasion of theKingdom of Yugoslavia, the Deçan region was initially part of theItalian protectorate of Albania until 1943. After Italy's capitulation, the area came under German control.[3]
After World War 2, Deçan, as well as the rest ofSocialist Autonomous Province of Kosovo, was a part ofSR Serbia andYugoslavia. At the end of 1959, the district system was dismantled, and the municipal structure was reinforced. Deçan was established as an independent municipality, referred to as the People's Council of the Municipality until 1963. Following constitutional reforms, it was renamed the Assembly of the Municipality of Deçan.[3]
During theKosovo War, Deçan was one of the strongholds of theKosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The KLA regularly smuggled weapons fromAlbania across the border to Deçan and as a result, the area saw significant fighting between the KLA and Yugoslav army and police.[8] The town was one of the areas where armed attacks against Serbian police and military began. In August 1995 in one of the most serious incidents before the Kosovo War, the Serbian police stations was attacked and set on fire by an armed group.[9]
Deçan is located in the western part of Kosovo. It is in the western edge of theDukagjini field and in thefoothills of theAccursed Mountains. It shares the western border withAlbania and the northwestern border withMontenegro.[3]
The altitude in the municipality of Deçan varies from the lowest point in the village of Maznik at 412 m (1,352 ft) to the highest point, which isGjeravica in the Accursed Mountains, reaching 2,656 m (8,714 ft) above sea level.[3]
In addition to Gjeravica, Deçan is home to several other peaks exceeding 2,000 m (6,600 ft), includingMarijash (2,533 m (8,310 ft)),Maja e Ropës (2,502 metres (8,209 ft)),Dog's Peak (2,406 m (7,894 ft)) andStrellci Peak (2,377 m (7,799 ft)).
According to the 2024 national census by theKosovo Agency of Statistics, the municipality of Deçan has 27,775 inhabitants.[2]
The overwhelming majority of the inhabitants areAlbanians (98.45%). Other ethnicities includeEgyptians,Bosniaks andothers.[10]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | 17,840 | — |
| 1953 | 19,223 | +1.50% |
| 1961 | 25,552 | +3.62% |
| 1971 | 31,335 | +2.06% |
| 1981 | 35,577 | +1.28% |
| 1991 | 42,898 | +1.89% |
| 2011 | 40,019 | −0.35% |
| 2024 | 27,758 | −2.77% |
| Source:[1] | ||
According to the 2011 census, 98.8% of the inhabitants wereMuslim.
The medievalSerbian OrthodoxVisoki Dečani monastery stands around 2 km (1.2 mi) to the west of the town.
Deçan istwinned with:
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|---|---|---|
| District of Gjakova | ||
| District of Gjilan | ||
| District of Mitrovica | ||
| District of Peja | ||
| District of Pristina | ||
| District of Prizren | ||
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