Štrpce

Štrpce
Municipality and city
Shtërpcë / Shtërpca
Штрпце / Štrpce

Ski resort Brezovica and city of Štrpce

Flag
Coat of arms
Štrpce

Location in Kosovo

Coordinates: 42°14′N 21°01′E / 42.233°N 21.017°E / 42.233; 21.017Coordinates: 42°14′N 21°01′E / 42.233°N 21.017°E / 42.233; 21.017
Country Kosovo[lower-alpha 1]
District District of Ferizaj
Area
 • Total 247.36 km2 (95.51 sq mi)
Elevation 974 m (3,196 ft)
Population (2014)[1]
 • Total 6,906
 • Density 28/km2 (72/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 73000
Area code(s) +381 290
Car plates 05
Website kk.rks-gov.net/shterpce/

Štrpce (in Serbian, Штрпце) or Shtërpcë (in Albanian, or Shtërpca) is a city and municipality in the District of Ferizaj, Kosovo.[lower-alpha 1]

Geography and economy

The municipality encompasses an area of 247.36 square kilometers (95.51 sq mi) on the northeast part of the Šar Mountains, and the upper part of the Lepenac river valley, which is well known as Sirinić Valley. Its municipal borders almost overlap with the borders of Sirinić Valley. Border lines are made of the mountain massive of the north-east part of the Šar Mountains and its branches: Ošljak, Kodža Balkan, Žar and Jezerska Mountain. The Štrpce municipality is a mainly mountainous area, comprising regions from 900 meters (3,000 ft) above sea level in the Lepenac river valley up to 2,500 meters (8,200 ft) above sea level at its highest peak, Ljuboten. Dominant mountain massifs create a natural isolation for this municipality towards north and south, meanwhile by Brod canyon the municipality is open towards Kosovo Valley, and through Prevalac toward Prizren Valley. The bordering municipalities are Ferizaj, Kaçanik, Suva Reka and Prizren, while the municipality is bordered by the Republic of Macedonia to the south.

Ski resort Brezovica and the town of Štrpce.

Štrpce has a relatively favorable location in comparison to other cities and administrative, economic centers of Kosovo, as well as the north and northwest part of Macedonia. The distance from the Štrpce municipality to the Ferizaj municipality is 30 kilometers (19 mi), to the Pristina municipality 61 kilometers (38 mi), to the Prizren municipality 34 kilometers (21 mi); the distance to cities in Macedonia is: Skopje 61 kilometers (38 mi), Tetovo 70 kilometers (43 mi). Štrpce municipality is situated at the center of the aforementioned cities, which is very important for further municipal economic development. It is also worth mentioning that within a radius of 100 kilometers (62 mi) from Štrpce there are a number of industrial and mining centers like Trepča – Kosovo mining-energetic basin, then Skopje, Ferizaj, Prizren and Peć industrial basins. In the past few years a number of asphalt roads were constructed within the municipal territory, so that almost all settlements are connected with the center of the municipality. Relief features and potential for using agricultural land are prerequisites for the bloodstream of the settlements' network which are the valley's predominant type. Most of the settlements are not urbanized and mainly not functionally integrated, with the exception of Brezovica settlement where tourism assets are located and Štrpce as the center of the municipality.

The diversity and attractive natural resources represent good potential for a faster economic development of the municipality. The most valuable natural potentials of the municipality are its environment values, climate features and untouched nature. Mountains with so called Alpine mountain relief, in the upper part of mountain where there is snow up to 280 days during the year are just some of the advantages for the development of winter tourism. The Šar Mountains offer the possibility of preparing ski slopes for all types of winter sports fans, from novices to top professional skiers. The lower parts with characteristics of the valley climate are rich with a variety of flora, lakes, caves etc., and offer possibilities for development of summer tourism as well. Besides tourism, there are opportunities and natural resources for the development of agriculture and cattle-breading. Agricultural land takes 55% of the municipal territory —13,651 hectares (33,732 acres). Pastures cover 38.8%, and meadows 25% of the total agricultural land. Cultivable soil covers 18%, and a small area is orchard. Forests take 42% of the territory of the municipality —11,372 hectares (28,101 acres). Beech is the most widely spread tree, but one can come across Turkey oak, white ash, birch and some other types of trees as well. Above 1,600 meters (5,200 ft) there are mixed and coniferous forests: pine, fir, spruce, juniper, as well as endemic trees like Pinus peuce, Pinus heldreichii, Pinus mugo, Taxus baccata and some others. The whole territory of the municipality is rich with rivers; about 250 springs manifest a presence of underground waters. The largest river is Lepenac which is made of two rivers – Tisova and Cerenacke river. There are also a number of mountain lakes; the three most popular are: Livadičko, Štrbačko and Big Jažinačko Lake.

History

Middle Ages

In Medieval Serbia, the župa (county, district) of Sirinić (Sirinićka župa), first mentioned in a 13th-century charter, covered the whole of modern Štrpce municipality, having the towns of Gradište (site in Brezovica) and Zidinac (site in Gotovuša). Several remains of Byzantine forts exist in the region. At the top of the Čajlije hill, above the mouth of the Piljevac creek of the Lepenac river, there exists the remains of the Gradište fort, which has two layers, the first from the 6th century, and the second from the 13th century. The fort is in ruins, of which a donjon tower, and outlines of other buildings, can be identified. The entrance to the city, at the north, was protected by a tower. From that tower, a rampart continued, with another tower, from where a defensive wall stretched to the foot of the hill, towards the Lepenac.

World War II

On June 28, 1944, during World War II, Bulgarian soldiers executed 46 locals (of whom 12 were children) on the Rakanovac site in Brezovica, after the death of one of their soldiers.

Demographics

Girls in Serbian traditional costumes

Štrpce was a part of the Ferizaj municipality for the 1971 and 1981 census. Therefore, there is no separate population data for the municipality for those two years.

Ethnic Composition
Year/Population Albanians  % Serbs  % Turks  % Others  % Total
1961 census 3,637 32.367,545 67.13 – – 51 0.45 11,239
1991 census 4,300 32.838,138 64.02 74 0.58 2001.57 12,712
September 1999 1,830 36.40 9,182 60.40 73 0.70 60 0.50 11,145
February 2001 4,500 33.00 9,099 66.70 34 0.20 N/A 0.10 13,633
2011 census3,740 54.10 3,132 45.30 0 0.00 41 0.55 6,913
Sources: Yugoslav Population Censuses for data through 1991, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe estimates for 1999 and 2001, Official 2011 census of the Republic of Kosovo

Culture

House of Culture

The House of Culture is in Štrpce in the center of town, next to the Municipality. The name of the House of Culture is St. Sava (Sveti Sava). Inside there is a public library and also a hall which hosts cultural events such as folk dance ensembles and art exhibitions.

Tourism

The municipality of Štrpce covers a surface of 247.36 square kilometers.[2] It is located in the north-eastern side of Šar Mountains, also known as the valley of Sirink which is the upper surface of the Lepenac river basin. The total population living in the territory of this municipality is about 13.812. Of these, 10.451 are Kosovo Serbs and 3.341 are Albanian, while 20 are Roma[3] The population density is 50 people for square kilometer. The municipality is surrounded by high mountains, where the highest peak reaches 2500 m (the peak of Ljuboten). These mountains are new, with tough ranges and ridges. It is recognized as an appropriate place for the development of tourism.

Brezovica ski center

Photograph of Brezovica
Photo of Brezovica

The Brezovica ski center is a popular center which lies in the north-western side of the Šar Mountains. Its distance from Prishtina Airport is 60 km.With its alpine nature and high mountainous environment, Brezovica and its surroundings remind you of most European and worldwide renowned touristic centers. Brezovica's surroundings cover different natural characteristics as the valley of Lepenac, its ridges reaching the height of 900 km to 2.600 m. The lower zone of the tourism complex reaches a height of 900 to 980 m above the sea level and is wide slope covering the Lepenc.[4] The Ormed village of this valley is called Brezovica whose primary function of tourism is in offering fine hotel accommodations such as: Narcio, Breza, Junior and other fine restaurants. The middle zone is surrounded by the Mužica mountains reaching a height of around 900–1300 m above sea level; it also presents a strong connection of skiing slopes. This zone is known as a weekend skiing line. The upper zone reaches the mountain height of 1700 m whose slopes descend from Muzhica's mountain bed. This port of ridge is known as Sfojk's house or "skiing center". This port of the mountain is surrounded by many hotels such as: Molika, Kameni Dom, SC Šar. The Brezovica skiing center consists of 5 ski lifts, the majority of which are out of order, which unable you to reach the skiing slope of 3.000 m. In Brezovica you can perform many skiing activities because it fulfills the capacities of 5000 skiers. The snowfall structure offers a fast and safe skiing experience. Many national and inter skiing contests have been held in Brezovica which have contributed to its continual prosperity. Different sports teams perform their yearly training in Brezovica because it offers ideal working circumstances. During the summer season, Brezovica offers a great pleasure to its visitors, who can hike, hunt, fish and visit its historic monuments. This center is available during the whole year for seminars, symposiums and conference presentations.

Šar Mountain National Park

Šar Mountain National Park was established in 1986, covering a surface of 39.000 hectars.[5] Restricted presentations of the Šar's nature are: mixed fresh woods lying on rocky fields of Rasemca garage. The birthplace of the bolcavic owl bind. As melting and flowing on wavy shapes, the gantwalls of Monica valley, many iceberg lakes and many other shapes of glacial relief. The Šar mountain presents a real museum under the upper part of Kosovo. The Šar mountain is also a field with flora and fauna diversity. The environment of Šar has more than 112 species, starting from three species, bushes, herbs, animals etc. The Šar mountain is also famous among many European beauties because it has over 147 butterfly species and 200 bird species . Among special poultices are: bradon eagle, golden eagle, grey eagle etc. On the upper zones of Šar, you can see even wild cats, owls, wild bears, dear families, does and wild cats. The natural and cultural wolves (UNESCO) protection as a result of preserving its natural beauties.

Natural lakes

Jezersko lake
Natural lake of Brezovica

Traditionally they belong to the Štrpce municipality formed as a result of Iceberg erosions. The people of Štrpce know them as "mountains eyes" thanks to their beauty. Depending on the weather conditions, these lakes are covered with snow from November to May. It consists of lakes: Livadičko lake, Mountain Vir lake, small Jezersko lake etc. The inhabitants of Štrpce still call it Štrebačko lake. It covers wide plains and deep circle land the peak of Livadica 2491 m reaching the height of 2.173 and its width of 220–124 m.[6] The sea shore length is 685 m. The lake's depth is various, starting from 6.50-8.60 m depending on weather conditions. The visibility of the lakes' water is clear and its bottom can be seen.The surface is filled with water from main falls, snowfalls and snow melting and a great number of underwater springs. In this lake the brown trout also lives, but as a result of tough weather and water conditions it cannot be inseminated.

Churches

View of Sveti Nikola church in Štrpce

There are two Orthodox churches in Štrpce: St. Nikola (Sveti Nikola) and St. Jovan (Sveti Jovan). St. Nikola was built in 1576-77 by locals, and St. Jovan was built in 1911.[7] One of the priests discovered a part of wall with frescoes in St. Nikola church from a much older time. Every Sunday morning and for holidays there are liturgies in St. Nikola church, and in St. Jovan church there are liturgies just on St. Jovan’s day, but the churches are open every day.

Traditions

One traditional holiday that is celebrated in Štrpce is Bele Poklade, also called Procka.

Historical monuments

Famous people

Staja Marković, after whom the primary school is named, was a guerrilla fighter in the 20th century.[8]

Education

Schools

Štrpce schools

There are primary and high schools in Štrpce. The high school is named for Jovan Cvijic. The high school has many courses of study including medicine, economy, law, gymnasium (general studies), and tourism. Students go in two shifts (1st and 2nd year go in the afternoon, and 3rd and 4th year go in the morning). There are about 400 students in the school. The primary school is named for Staja Marković. There are about 500 students in the primary school, in 1st through 8th grades.

There is also a kindergarten in Štrpce that is named Fawn of the Shara.

Traveling

Buses

Those who live in the other villages of Sirinic valley can come to school with school buses. Every morning buses travel from Brezovica to Belgrade, and stop in Štrpce.

Bars

There are several night clubs in Štrpce (“Sound,’’ ”Time out”…) which work just on Friday and Saturday, several cafe bars (“Extreme,’’ “City,’’ “Coloseum”), several restaurants (“Cair,’’ ”Lipa,’’ ”Lovac,’’ ”Dis 4”, " Motel Bora").

Administration

Municipality

The town of Štrpce is the seat of the municipality government. In the Kosovo municipality building there are several offices of the Serbian municipality.

Štrpce also has a hospital and ambulances.

Annotations

  1. 1 2 Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Kosovo and the Republic of Serbia. The Republic of Kosovo unilaterally declared independence on 17 February 2008, but Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory. The two governments began to normalise relations in 2013, as part of the Brussels Agreement. Kosovo has received recognition as an independent state from 110 out of 193 United Nations member states.

References

  1. ↑ http://pop-stat.mashke.org/kosovo-ethnic-loc2011.htm
  2. ↑ Sadik Ymeri, Arsimi te Shqiptaret e Komunes se Shterrpces 1915-2006-Monografi, Prizeren: "Berati", 2007.
  3. ↑ Unioni Evropian SPARK, strategjia per zhvillim te ndermarrjeve te vogla dhe te mesme dhe ndermarresise ne komunen e Shterpces per periudhen 2011-1016, Priština 2011, pg 5.
  4. ↑ Dimitrije Racecovic and others, Guidebook, Komuna e Shterrpces, Prishtine, 2012, pg.28.
  5. ↑ ^ Dimitrije Racecovic and others, Guidebook, Komuna e Shterrpces, Prishtine, 2012, pg.33.
  6. ↑ ^ Dimitrije Rakočević and others, Guidebook, Komuna e Shterrpces, Prishtine, 2012, pg.30.
  7. ↑ Zaduzbine Kosova (Beograd, Prizren: Eparhija Rasko-prizrenska i Bogoslovski fakultet, 1987).
  8. ↑ Video on YouTube
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