Destroyed Serbian heritage in Kosovo

In total, 155 Serbian Orthodox churches and monasteries were destroyed between 11 June 1999 and 19 March 2004, after the end of the Kosovo War and including the 2004 unrest in Kosovo.[1] Many of the churches and monasteries dated back to the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries.

Aftermath of Kosovo War

Between the arrival of KFOR in June 1999 and after the 2004 unrest, more than 140 holy sites were destroyed.[2]

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

2004 unrest

Main article: 2004 unrest in Kosovo

In a statement on 18 March, the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) reported that a number of its churches and monasteries in Kosovo had been damaged or destroyed by rioters. At least 30 sites were completely destroyed, more or less destroyed, or further destroyed (sites that had been previously destroyed).[2] Apart from the churches and monasteries, tens of support buildings (such as parish buildings, economical buildings and residences), bringing the number close to 100 buildings of the SPC destroyed.[2] All churches and objects of the SPC in Prizren were destroyed.[2] The list includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Site(s) Location History Damage
Our Lady of Ljeviš (Bogorodica Ljeviška) Prizren 14th c. World Heritage Site Set on fire from the inside, 12th–14th c. frescos seriously damaged, altar area desecrated, holy table broken[2]
Church of the Holy Saviour Prizren 14th c. Set on fire[2]
Cathedral church of the Holy Great Martyr George Prizren Built in 1856 Set on fire and mined[2]
Church of St. Nicholas (Tutić's Church) Prizren 14th c. Set on fire from the inside[2]
Church of St. George (Runović's Church) Prizren 16th c. Set on fire from the inside[2]
Church of St. Kyriaki (Crkva sv. Nedelje) Potkaljaja neighbourhood, Prizren 14th c. Burnt[2]
Church of St. Panteleimon Potkaljaja 14th c. Burnt[2]
Church of Sts. Cosmas and Damian Potkaljaja 14th c. Burnt[2]
Church of St. Kyriaki (Crkva sv. Nedelje) Živinjane near Prizren - Mined, completely destroyed by explosion[2]
Monastery of the Holy Archangels Prizren 14th c. founded by Stefan Dušan Robbed and burnt, in the presence of German soldiers who failed to protect it[2]
Serbian Orthodox Seminary of Prizren and the Bishop's Court Prizren Established in 1872 Set on fire[2] and people attacked on 17 March.[5]
Church of St. Elijah Podujevo destroyed and desecrated, coffins from the nearby Serbian cemetery were dug up, and bones of the dead were scattered away.[6]

The violence quickly spread to other parts of Kosovo, with Kosovo Serb communities and religious and cultural symbols attacked by crowds of Albanians. Some of these locations were ostensibly under the protection of KFOR at the time. During the riots and violence, eight Kosovo Serbians were killed. Among damaged property was the targeted cultural and architectural heritage of the Serb people, and as a result 35 churches, including 18 monuments of culture, were demolished, burnt or severely damaged.[7]

Reconstruction

The Reconstruction Implementation Commission (RIC) for Serbian Orthodox religious sites in Kosovo is an EU-funded project to promote the reconstruction of cultural heritage.[8] It has 35 sites under its responsibility.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Edward Tawil (February 2009). "Property Rights in Kosovo: A Haunting Legacy of a Society in Transition" (PDF). New York: International Center for Transitional Justice. p. 14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ERP KiM Info 2004.
  3. ↑ "CNN - KLA rebels accused of vandalizing Serb monastery - June 17, 1999". edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-03-03.
  4. ↑ http://www.sv-luka.org/Kosovo2000Part1.pdf
  5. ↑ Bouckaert 2004, pp. 54–55.
  6. ↑ Munk, Eva (25 March 2004). "Czechs hold line in Kosovo". The Prague Post.
  7. ↑ B92.net, FM talks Kosovo at U.S. college, 18 March 2011
  8. ↑ Reconstruction Implementation Commission (13 May 2009). "Home". Council of Europe. Retrieved 9 December 2010.
  9. ↑ Reconstruction Implementation Commission (13 May 2009). "Sites". Council of Europe. Retrieved 9 December 2010.

Sources

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