Lipjan

Early Period

The ancient predecessor of Lipjan, the Roman settlement of Ulpiana, was an important town in the Illyrian and Dardanian spheres. By the 2nd century CE, it was the economic, political and culture centre of the province of Dardania.^[7] It was situated on a road between ancient Naissus and Lissus, called Via de Zenta. It suffered from barbarian raids, especially the incursion of 517CE, and from a great earthquake that damaged much of Dardania. By the time Justinian I began his restoration of the Byzantine Empire, Ulpiana was in a ruinous condition - after repairing the town, Justinian labelled it Justiniana Secunda. Ulpiana also played an important ecclesiastical role, having had a local bishop present at the Council of Serdica in 347CE and at the Ecumenic Synod of 553CE. Florus and Laurus were said to have settled in Ulpiana.^[8]

Middle Ages

In the early Middle Ages the city was part of the Bulgarian Empire and a diocese of the Archbishopric of Ohrid. In 1018 it was recaptured by the Byzantines.^[6] In the period between the 13th and 15th centuries Lipjan was part of the Kingdom (later Empire) of Serbia and of the Serbian Despotate. The church of the Presentation of the Mother of God was rebuilt to its present-day form as seat of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Lipljan.^[9]

According to some modern authors, Lipjan may also be the birthplace of Lekë Dukagjini (1410–1481),^[10] an Albanian noble whose realm was actually located in Northern Albania (where he could also have been born). Dukagjini was a close friend of Albanian military commander Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.^[11][7]

Ottoman Era

Since the second half of the 15th century until 1913, Lipjan was part of the Ottoman Empire.

Kosovo War and Aftermath

During and after the Kosovo War, Lipjan was the site of war crimes and atrocities which affected both Albanian and Serbian civilians. In July 1998, 22 Serb civilians were murdered in the nearby village of Kleçka/Klečka, allegedly by KLA members.^[12] In April 1999, ethnic Albanians were forced out of the area by Serb forces, and their properties were looted and burned by said forces. Serbian paramilitary forces were alleged to have shot more than 50 Albanian civilians in 3 surrounding villages.^[13] Immediately after the war, during the Staro Gracko massacre, 14 Serb farmers were slaughtered.^[14] During the 2004 unrest, the majority of local Serb families were forced out of the area, with their houses and properties burned down.^[15]

Ethnic groups

The ethnic composition of the municipality of Lipjan:

Religions

The religious composition of the municipality of Lipjan: