Mitrovica, Administrative center in northern Kosovo
Mitrovica is a city in northern Kosovo that sits on both banks of the Ibar River and is connected by a central bridge. The two banks have separate administrations and are often referred to with the labels North and South.
The area has been settled since the Neolithic period and changed hands over centuries under Byzantine, Serbian and Ottoman rule. In the 20th century, mining and industry shaped its growth, until political changes in the late 1990s led to today's division.
The name comes from the Greek Dimitrios and points to Byzantine roots still visible in some churches and monasteries around the area. On both sides of the Ibar, communities live with their own traditions that show in markets, cafés and public squares.
When crossing the bridge, be mindful of your bearings because the two sides use different currencies and public services. The city is easy to explore on foot, though some streets can be steep or uneven.
Four rivers meet here: the Ibar, Sitnica, Lushta and Trepca, forming a natural crossroads. This junction has made the area a passage point for traders and travelers for centuries.
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