District of Peja
District of Republic of Kosovo
The District of Peja (Albanian: Rajoni i Pejës, Serbian: Пећки округ, romanized: Pećki okrug) is one of the seven districts of Kosovo. It has its seat in the city of Peja. The district has three municipalities and 118 other settlements. According to the 2024 census, the district had 146,301 inhabitants, and is the least populated of all the districts of Kosovo.
History
Peja region has been occupied from the Illyrian era, and was part of ancient Dardania. It is mentioned in the Roman map of Ptholomeus from the 3rd century CE, and was given by various names such as Siparantum, Pech, Peka, and Pentza during various periods of time. Pechi, the Latin name is first mentioned in the documents from 12th century CE.
In the 14th century, Stefan Dusan established the Peja Patriarchy, after separating it from Constantinople. After the Kosovo battle in 1389 CE between the Serbian and Ottoman Empires, the region was under the control of Balshaj family till 1421 and Dukagjini family till 1462. The region came to be a part of Sanjak of Scutari in the 16th century, during which time Islam was introduced to the Catholic population in the region.
In October 1912, Peja region was captured by Montenegro from the Ottomans.
The public source identifies “District of Peja” as district of Republic of Kosovo. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around District, Peja and Republic.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “District of Peja”, the useful work is to connect “district of Republic of Kosovo” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
Place names and jurisdictional language are key evidence: both can reveal earlier catalogue descriptions and overlooked record series. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 13, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q609247. The first chronological checks are 2024, 1389, 1421 and 1462.
Modern boundaries and familiar names can conceal earlier jurisdictions or structures that do not align with the present site. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Treat names, boundaries and functions as historically changeable. Maps, plans, inventories and administrative records can clarify what the place meant at different dates.
- Historic place names
- Jurisdictional context
- Routes into maps and plans
Contemporary maps, plans, listed-building records, estate papers and the responsible local or national archive.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “District of Peja”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow District of Peja primary sources, District of Peja archive and District research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “District of Peja”?
- What physical evidence or contemporary plan supports the description?
- Which earlier names or jurisdictions may reveal additional records?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “District of Peja” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.