Graanica

Graanica, also spelled Gračanica or Graçanica, is a town and municipality in central Kosovo, in the Pristina region. The town lies southeast of Pristina and serves as the administrative center for a group of nearby villages. It is best known for the Gračanica Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox religious site dating from the early 14th century. The monastery is considered a major example of the Raška architectural school and is notable for its white limestone walls and historic frescoes. It is a protected cultural monument and a focal point of the area’s religious and cultural heritage.

The municipality comprises the town of Graanica and several surrounding villages. The local economy is primarily rural, with agriculture and small-scale commerce forming the backbone, complemented by services connected to the monastery and municipal administration. The population is predominantly ethnic Albanian, with smaller Serb and other minority communities reflecting the region’s complex demographic history.

Graanica has experienced the broader social and political changes that have affected Kosovo in recent decades, including disruptions during periods of conflict and subsequent post-conflict development. Today it operates within Kosovo’s administrative framework and aims to preserve its cultural heritage while supporting local economic and community needs. The Gračanica Monastery remains a key attraction for visitors, scholars, and pilgrims seeking insight into central Kosovo’s medieval heritage and religious landscape.