Drsnik, Kosovo

Dresnik
Village
Dresnik is located in Kosovo
Dresnik
Dresnik
Location in Kosovo
Coordinates: 42°36′22″N 20°36′03″E / 42.60611°N 20.60083°E / 42.60611; 20.60083
Location Kosovo
DistrictPejë
MunicipalityKlinë
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total1,770
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
32000
Area code+381
Car plates03

Dresnik (Albanian: Dërsniku or Dresniku; Serbian Cyrillic: Дрсник) is a settlement in the Klina municipality of Kosovo.[2]

History

In the village of Dresnik lies the Archaeological Site of Dresnik. It is considered by to be one of the most important archaeological sites not only in Kosovo, but also in the region, since it indicates the existence of civilization in Dresnik during the Roman Period.[3]

During Early Middle Ages, Porphyrogenitus mentions the urban center of Desstinik.[4] Archaeological discoveries from the Roman period were made here in August 2013.[5]

During World War II, Dresnik was one of the many settlements in Kosovo where the Albanian civilian population was persecuted and killed by Serbian paramilitaries.[6]

Dresnik had an Albanian majority. In June 1999 the Serbian population fled due to war. Some Serbs returned to the village after five years, in June 2005.[7] The interior of the church of St. Paraskeva, which dates back to the 16th century, was completely torched in June 1999. Some frescoes survived the fire; in 2005 funds were being collected for the church's repair and a restoration of the frescoes.[7]

In 2009 there were arson attacks on two Serbian houses in Dresnik.[8]

Population

In the 2011 census, the population was 1770.[9]

Data for 1991 may not reflect the correct number of Albanians that year, as they largely boycotted that census.

Ethnic Composition
Year Serbs  % Albanians  % others  % Total
1961 900 78.13% 222 19.27% 30 2.60% 1152
1971 837 70.16% 337 28.25% 19 1.59% 1193
1981 709 71.91% 242 24.54% 35 3.55% 986
1991 590 95.78% 12 1.95% 14 2.27% 616
2011 10 0,56% 1751 98.9% 9 0.54% 1770

References