Church of Christ the Saviour

A disputed church in Priština, located on the campus of the University of Priština, has a complex history. Originally planned as part of an open-plan campus in the 1970s, it was later given to the Serbian Orthodox Church by the municipality, leading to tension and disputes.

Construction began in 1992, but was halted multiple times due to a lack of funds as well as a deteriorating security situation in Kosovo. At first, the church was not well-received by all due to being seen as a symbol of Serbian rule. After all, according to Spasoje Krunić’s design, the church would have 1,389 golden crosses—a reference to the year of the Battle of Kosovo, which is particularly important to Serbian history, tradition, and national identity at large.

After the war in 1999, the building survived attempts of destruction and was placed under protection. The future of the church remains uncertain, with ownership still being disputed between the University of Priština and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Calls for demolition have led to vandalism and desecration.

The Eparchy of Raška and Prizren conducted a religious ceremony on the grounds in 2021, sparking criticism and protests. The church, therefore, remains a contentious symbol in Pristina. Originally intended to be a prominent religious structure, it now stands as an urban semi-ruin, protected by a barbed wire fence set up by KFOR soldiers.