Dukagjin

Dukagjin, also known as Dukagjini, is a historical and geographic region in the western Balkans. It centers on the Dukagjin Highlands and extends across parts of western Kosovo and eastern Albania. The name derives from the Dukagjini noble family, a prominent feudal lineage that ruled a medieval Albanian principality in the area.

Geographically, the region sits in the Drin River valley and is bounded by surrounding mountain ranges, including the Albanian Alps. In Kosovo, Dukagjin encompasses areas around towns such as Gjakovë (Gjakovica) and Pejë (Peć), with settlements scattered through the highland and valley landscapes. In Albania, the highland zones associated with the historic region reach into areas like Tropojë and nearby municipalities, forming a rugged, mountainous terrain known for its villages and pastoral economy.

Historically, the Dukagjini realm played a significant role in medieval Albania. The Principality of Dukagjin existed as a semi-autonomous feudal domain in the region during the late Middle Ages. The Dukagjini name is also associated with the Kanun of Lekë Dukagjini, a customary legal code traditionally attributed to the noble Lekë Dukagjini and widely cited as a framework for social norms and civil law among northern Albanian communities. The dating and authorship of the Kanun are subjects of scholarly discussion.

In the present day, Dukagjin is not an administrative unit but a cultural and geographic reference that spans parts of Kosovo and Albania. It remains noted for its mountainous landscapes, traditional rural life, and cultural heritage connected to the historic Dukagjini lineage and the Kanun.