National Museum of Kosovo

Founded in 1949 by Yugoslav authorities, the National Museum of Kosovo was established to preserve and present the region’s movable heritage. It occupies a two-story Austro-Hungarian building constructed in 1889, originally used as a military headquarters. The museum’s architecture itself is part of its historical narrative.

The museum is divided into four main sectors: archaeology, ethnology, history, and natural sciences. Its most famous exhibit is the “Goddess on the Throne,” a terracotta figurine dating back to 3500 BC, discovered near Prishtina. This Neolithic artifact symbolizes fertility and spiritual power and has become a national icon.

Other highlights include Illyrian tools, Roman coins, Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman manuscripts, and items from Kosovo’s 20th-century resistance movements. The museum also sponsors archaeological excavations and publishes the annual “Buletin i Muzeut të Kosovës.”

During the 1999 war, many artifacts were looted or damaged. Since then, restoration efforts have focused on recovering lost items and rebuilding the museum’s collections. Today, it stands as a testament to Kosovo’s enduring cultural identity and its commitment to historical preservation.