Leshan lies about 5 km southwest of Theranda, in the valley of the same name, and is a compact settlement. Although no systematic excavation has been carried out, agricultural work has uncovered pottery, hearths, human remains and house foundations, all pointing to earlier habitation.
The settlement is mentioned in a document from 1348. An Ottoman register from 1530 records the form Leshtan. Between 1913 and 1941, under pressure, 15 families with around 140 members emigrated mainly to Turkey. During the interwar period seven Serbian colonist families were settled here.
On 28 March 1999 and during later attacks, Serbian forces completely burned 135 houses and damaged around 220 other economic and auxiliary buildings. The school was destroyed together with its records and library, causing major material and cultural losses to the village.
Source
Source and further reading
Principal source: Prof. Dr. Jusuf Osmani, Settlements of Kosovo 4 — Theranda (Suhareka), Prishtina, 2003.
Source entry: LESHANI
This page presents a selected summary from the published study of the settlement. For complete archival references, family histories, microtoponymy and the full treatment, consult the original volume.