About Harilaq Fortress
Fortifications, Historic, Monuments And Memorials, Archaeology, Interesting Places, Castles, Other Archaeological Sites, Monuments
The Harilaq fortress (Albanian: Kalaja e Harilaqit or Kështjella e Harilaqit, Serbian: Градина/Gradina or Ариљача/Ariljača; 4th–6th century AD), is situated on top of the hill known by the local toponomy as the Gradina – Harilaq, set in an elevated and dominant position, west from the Ariljača village. The fortress is located in an altitude of maximum 766 metres above sea level, and is approximately sited 9 km southeast from the town of Kosovo Polje and only 2 kilometres west from Pristina International Airport "Adem Jashari". The total surface of the fortress, also counting the circular walls/ ramparts, measures around 1.3 hectares of the inner space of the stronghold. The archaeological excavations at this site were conducted in several seasons, commencing in 2005 and were carried out systematically until 2010 by the staff of the Museum of Kosovo, particularly the Archaeological Institute of Kosovo. Nonetheless, several conservations and consolidations of the circuit walls were done in order to preserve the remains. During the five archaeological seasons' works, numerous remains and foundations of sacral, profane and utilitarian buildings were discovered. In regard, the entire outer sides of the rampart with towers at the axes were unearthed, as well as a church with three naves and a Saskrity are discovered, but also two almost identical structures in a rounded shape of an unknown sacral complex has been uncovered, as well. On the other hand, vast movable archaeological material composed of: metal made working tools, jewelry, coins, bricks, glass fragments and architectural structures, all clear indications that pinpoint to the Late Antique date and especially typical for the Justinian Period. Also, at this fortress traces of prehistoric periods have been evidenced, especially emphasizing the metal periods, but it continued to exist all through antiquity and up to the Medieval Period. Discovered and recorded findings from this site of excavations from 2005–2008 were presented at the International Conference on Illyria: Illyri Meridionale et l'Epire dans l'antiquite, Act du V colloque internacional de Grenoble, 8–11 octobre 2008, held in Grenoble, France.
