Dresnik ( or ''Dresniku;'' sr-Cyrl, Дрсник) is a settlement in the

Klina Klina (Albanian language, Albanian: ''Klinë'' or ''Klina'') is a List of cities in Kosovo, town and Municipalities of Kosovo, municipality located in the District of Peja of north-western Kosovo. According to the 2011 census, the town of Klina h ...

municipality of Kosovo.

History

In the village of Dresnik lies the

Archaeological Site of Dresnik The Archaeological Site of Dresnik () is an archaeological site in the village of Dresnik, Klina, Kosovo. It is considered by to be one of the most important archaeological sites not only in Kosovo, but also in the region. A number of discoveries ...

. It is considered 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 The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...

During

Early Middle Ages The Early Middle Ages (or early medieval period), sometimes controversially referred to as the Dark Ages (historiography), Dark Ages, is typically regarded by historians as lasting from the late 5th to the 10th century. They marked the start o ...

, Porphyrogenitus mentions the urban center of ''Desstinik''. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, Dresnik was one of the settlements in Kosovo where the civilian population was persecuted by occupying fascist forces. Archaeological discoveries from the

Roman period The Roman Empire ruled the Mediterranean and much of Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. The Roman people, Romans conquered most of this during the Roman Republic, Republic, and it was ruled by emperors following Octavian's assumption of ...

were made here in August 2013. Before 1999, Dresnik had a mixed Serbian and Albanian population. In June 1999 the Serbian population fled due to war. Some Serbs returned to the village after five years, in June 2005. The interior of the Church of St. Paraskeva, which dates back to the 16th century, was completely torched in June 1999 by Albanian nationalists. Some frescoes survived the fire; in 2005 funds were being collected for the church's repair and a restoration of the frescoes. In 2009 there were arson attacks on two Serbian houses in Dresnik.

Population

In the 2011 census, the population was 1770. Data for 1991 may not reflect the correct number of Albanians that year, as they largely boycotted that census.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dersnik Villages in Klina Destroyed churches in Kosovo Medieval Serbian sites in Kosovo