Mitrovica

Mitrovica is a city in northern Kosovo, known as a city divided between two communities by the Ibar River, which runs through its centre.

A City Divided by the Ibar River

Mitrovica’s population is split between a southern, majority-Albanian side and a northern, majority-Serb side, with the Ibar River forming a geographic and symbolic divide between the two over the decades. The bridge connecting both riverbanks is a well-known symbol of this division, and the city saw significant tension and population shifts during the 1998–1999 Kosovo War and its aftermath.

Mining History

Mitrovica is historically tied to the nearby Trepça mining complex, once one of the most important mining operations in the former Yugoslavia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Mitrovica in Kosovo? In the north, near the border with Serbia.

Why is Mitrovica known as the “divided city”? Because the Ibar River separates a majority-Albanian southern part from a majority-Serb northern part.