# Peja

> city in Kosovo

**Wikidata**: [Q112657](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112657)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peja)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peja

## Summary
Peja is a city located in Kosovo, serving as the administrative center of Peja Municipality and Peja District. With a population of 96,450 as of 2011 and 82,661 in 2024, it is situated in the western part of the country, near the Rugova Mountains. Historically significant as a cultural and religious hub, Peja has been part of various empires and states, including the Ottoman Empire and Yugoslavia.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Coordinates 42.65913° N, 20.28828° E; elevation 550 meters above sea level.
- **Area**: 602.63 square kilometers.
- **Population**: 96,450 (2011 census); 82,661 (2024 data).
- **Country Affiliation**: Recognized as part of Kosovo (declared independence in 2008) and historically part of Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro, Yugoslavia, and the Ottoman Empire.
- **Aliases**: Peć, Pejë, Печ, باج, 페치.
- **Official Languages**: Albanian and Serbian.
- **Website**: https://kk.rks-gov.net/peje.
- **Time Zone**: Central European Time (CET).
- **Postal Code**: 30000.
- **Notable Landmarks**: Bajrakli Mosque, Karagaq Sports Hall, Shahin Haxhiislami Stadium.
- **Twin Towns**: Gjilan, Tobolsk, Nilüfer district (Turkey), Berane, Bijeljina, Yalova.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 152515229; GeoNames ID 787157; GND ID 4102943-4.

## FAQs
- **Where is Peja located?**  
  Peja is situated in western Kosovo, near the Rugova Mountains, at coordinates 42.65913° N, 20.28828° E.

- **What is Peja's population?**  
  As of 2024, the population is 82,661, down from 96,450 recorded in the 2011 census.

- **What countries has Peja historically belonged to?**  
  Peja has been part of the Ottoman Empire (1459–1913), Kingdom of Serbia, Yugoslavia (1918–2006), and Serbia and Montenegro, before becoming part of Kosovo following its 2008 declaration of independence.

- **What are Peja's twin towns?**  
  Peja is twinned with Gjilan, Tobolsk, Nilüfer district (Turkey), Berane, Bijeljina, and Yalova.

- **What are Peja's key landmarks?**  
  Notable sites include the Bajrakli Mosque, Karagaq Sports Hall, Shahin Haxhiislami Stadium, and the Rugova Mountains.

## Why It Matters
Peja holds historical and cultural significance as a crossroads of empires, religions, and traditions. Its architectural heritage, including Ottoman-era mosques and Serbian Orthodox monasteries, reflects its diverse past. As a municipal and district capital, it plays a key administrative role in Kosovo. The city’s natural surroundings, such as the Rugova Mountains, contribute to its tourism appeal, while its evolving political status underscores its role in regional history and identity.

## Notable For
- **Cultural Heritage**: Home to the Bajrakli Mosque and Haxhi Baba Bektashi Tekke.
- **Natural Beauty**: Gateway to the Rugova Mountains and a popular ski resort.
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the Ottoman Empire, Serbian Despotate, and Yugoslav states.
- **Administrative Role**: Capital of Peja Municipality and Peja District.
- **Festivals**: Hosts the "Peja Summer Festival" celebrating music, theater, and art.

## Body

### Geography & Demographics
Peja covers 602.63 km², with an elevation of 550 meters. As of 2024, its population is 82,661, down from 96,450 in 2011. The city is part of Peja Municipality (established in 1960) and historically belonged to the Kosovo Vilayet (1877–1913).

### History
- **Ottoman Rule (1459–1913)**: A cultural and trade hub under the Ottoman Empire.
- **Yugoslav Era (1918–2006)**: Part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, later Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
- **Modern Status (2008–Present)**: Recognized as part of Kosovo following its declaration of independence, though Serbia maintains claims.

### Culture & Landmarks
- **Religious Sites**: Bajrakli Mosque, Patriarchate of Peć (Serbian Orthodox monastery and UNESCO site).
- **Arts**: Hosts the "Peja Summer Festival" and home to the Karagaq Sports Hall.
- **Natural Attractions**: Rugova Mountains, Veljak Peak, and the White Drin River.

### Administration & Politics
- **Capital Of**: Peja Municipality, Peja District, and historically Peć District.
- **Disputed Status**: Claimed by Serbia as part of its territory, governed by Kosovo since 2008.

### Economy & Infrastructure
- **Transport**: Connected via the Adriatic-Ionian Highway (A1), with a local dialing code of 39.
- **Sports**: Shahin Haxhiislami Stadium hosts football matches, including Kosovo Superleague games.

### International Relations
- **Twin Towns**: Partnerships with Gjilan (Kosovo), Tobolsk (Russia), Nilüfer (Turkey), Berane (Montenegro), Bijeljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Yalova (Turkey).

### Identifiers & Classifications
- **Wikidata**: Q189503.
- **GeoNames ID**: 787157.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 8ce693d6-565f-459c-9ef2-964a2b5b9592.
- **Categories**: "City," "Cadastral municipality of Serbia" (per Serbian government registry).

### Related Entities
- **Owner Of**: Karagaq Sports Hall, Shahin Haxhiislami Stadium.
- **Twinned With**: Nilüfer district (2010), Berane (1998), Bijeljina (2013), Yalova (2010).
- **Notable People**: Category:People from Peja includes politicians, artists, and athletes.

### Miscellaneous
- **Website**: Official municipal site at https://kk.rks-gov.net/peje.
- **Time Zone**: Central European Time (UTC+1).
- **Postal Code**: 30000.
- **Locator Map**: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pejë_2006.PNG.

## References

1. [Republic Geodetic Authority](http://www.rgz.gov.rs/upload/web/Spisak%20KO-20150521.zip)
2. [Source](https://www.nilufer.bel.tr/icerik/kardes-kentler)
3. [Source](https://www.gradbijeljina.org/en/1922.pec-gorazdevac-serbia.html)
4. archINFORM
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Population by sex, marital status and municipality 2011. Kosovo Agency of Statistics](https://askdata.rks-gov.net/pxweb/en/ASKdata/ASKdata__Census%20population__Census%202011__3%20By%20Municipalities/Pop%20by%20marital%20status%20sex%20and%20municipality.px/table/tableViewLayout1/)
8. [Source](https://askapi.rks-gov.net/Custom/1d268e37-5934-4bd5-bbd1-34a9965cff92.pdf)
9. GeoNames
10. Quora
11. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File