| Pashtrik | |
|---|---|
| Pashtriku | |
 A view of Pashtrik | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Pashtrik |
| Elevation | 1,986 m (6,516 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,425 m (4,675 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Ribu |
| Coordinates | 42°12′38″N20°31′24″E / 42.21056°N 20.52333°E /42.21056; 20.52333 |
| Geography | |
  Pashtrik Location of Pashtrik on the border of Albania and Kosovo Show map of Albania Pashtrik Pashtrik (Kosovo) Show map of Kosovo | |
| Countries | Albania and Kosovo |
| Parent range | Dinaric Alps |
Pashtrik (Albanian:Pashtriku,pronounced[paʃtɹiku];Serbian Cyrillic:Паштрик) is a mountain located inAlbania andKosovo. Its highest peak is located on their mutual border. It is 1,986 m (6,516 ft) high. TheWhite Drin river passes along by it.[2] Mount Pashtrik is the site of annual pilgrimages of residents fromHas region ofPrizren andGjakova in Kosovo and from the border area of Albania.[3]
In the 15th century the Albanian toponymDarda was recorded in the region, which indicates an Albanian presence.[4]
Tax register from 1452 show the inhabitants of Darda and the Pashtrik had mostly Albanian anthroponyms.[5]
Pashtrik is located in the historical region ofHas, which up until the 16th century was named after the mountain. In the 17th century the nameHas gained a prominence. It is a reference to the taxation status of the region which was taxed directly under the Ottoman Sultan instead of being part of the administrative divisions of the Ottoman Empire.[6] Two-thirds of the mountain belongs to Albania. It is located in north-eastern Albania. The village ofKrumë is positioned next to it. One-third of the mountain is in Kosovo. It is located in south-western Kosovo. The village ofGjonaj is positioned next to the mountain. It was built fromPaleozoic core, covered byMesozoic limestone, mostly under the vegetation.
Small mammals living in the mountain include thecommon vole,northern white-breasted hedgehog,balkan mole, andeuropean mole.[7] Theblind mole occurs in the grasslands in old growth stands of beech forest.
Mount Pashtrik has been considered sacred since ancient times. The old pagan cult is reflected in the annual pilgrimage of both Christians and Muslims that take place on the mountain.[8] Catholic pilgrimages celebrate a two-day festival dedicated to theAssumption of Mary. The feast is called by locals "Feast of the Holy Trinity" (Albanian:Festa e Shëndritatit).Bektashi take pilgrimages to honor the legendary figureSari Saltik (Albanian:Sari Salltëk), considering the mountain to contain one of his seven tombs. The Orthodox of Prizren consider the mountain to contain the tomb ofSaint Pantaleimon, and take pilgrimages celebrating one whole night in summer.[9]
The cult of the mountain and mountain tops is widespread amongAlbanians. This ancient practice is still preserved today, notably in Pashtrik,Lybeten,Tomorr,Gjallicë,Rumia,Koritnik,Shkëlzen,Mount Krujë,Shelbuem,Këndrevicë,Maja e Hekurave,Shëndelli and many others. InAlbanian folk beliefs it is strictly related to the cult of Nature in general, and the cult of the Sun, the earth and water in particular. Every mountain is said to have its own nymph (Zana e malit). According to the top of the mountain where the nymphs stay, they get their specific name. Therefore Mount Pahtrik is the dwelling ofZana e Pashtrikut.[10]