Gazimestan Monument

The main commemorative tower for the pivotal 1389 Battle of Kosovo, serving as a strategic viewpoint overlooking the historical battlefield (Kosovo Polje).

Insider Tips

The View: Climb the tower for a 360-degree view of the vast plain and battlefield.

Admission: Free to visit; the site is open-air.

Photography: Best captured at sunrise or sunset when the tower’s silhouette dominates the plain.

Contrast: Visit the nearby Tomb of Sultan Murad I for full historical context.

Symbolism: Medieval-style observation tower built in 1953.

Accesibility Notes

Open Hours: Daily 08:00–17:00.

Terrain: Flat, paved access roads.

Wheelchair: Grounds accessible; tower requires stairs.

Directions: Located directly off the M2 highway, north of Prishtina.

Getting There: Located off the Pristina–Mitrovica highway; accessible by car or organized tours. It is located 5km northwest of Pristina on the road to Mitrovica. Public transport is unreliable; a taxi is the best option (approx. €5-7 one way). Ask the driver to wait, as return taxis are hard to find.

Last update

Jan 11, 2026

The Story

The Battle of Kosovo in 1389 was a turning point in Balkan history. Sultan Murad I led Ottoman forces against Serbian troops under Prince Lazar. Both sides suffered devastating losses, and while the Ottomans recovered quickly, Serbia was left weakened and divided. Over centuries, the battle became enshrined in Serbian epic poetry, symbolizing sacrifice and defiance.

In 1953, Yugoslavia erected the Gazimestan Monument to memorialize this event. Its medieval-style tower, flanked by truncated cylindrical structures, bears inscriptions honoring Prince Lazar. The monument’s name reflects a fusion of Arabic and Persian roots, meaning “place of warriors.”

Gazimestan gained renewed significance in 1989, when Slobodan Milošević delivered a controversial speech at the site during the 600th anniversary of the battle. His words, acknowledging the possibility of ethnic conflict, foreshadowed the turmoil that would soon engulf Yugoslavia. Today, Gazimestan remains both a historical landmark and a contested symbol, its meaning shifting between remembrance, nationalism, and cautionary memory.