Bob, Kaçanik

Bob is a neighborhood of the town of Kaçanik, in southern Kosovo. It is considered one of the traditional areas of the town and has developed together with the urban growth of Kaçanik.

Bob Bob
Neighborhood
Bob Location of Bob in Kosovo
Coordinates: 42°13′39″N 21°15′02″E / 42.22750°N 21.25056°E / 42.22750; 21.25056
Country	Kosovo
Municipality	Kaçanik
Elevation	503 m (1,650 ft)
Population  (2024)
• Total	1,377
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
Area code	+383

History

The neighborhood of Bob is among the oldest settled areas of Kaçanik. Over time, it has played a role in the town’s cultural and social life. Local oral history connects Bob with early families who settled in the region, although documented references are limited.

Hasan’s Tower

In Bob, stands Hasan’s Tower (also known as the Tower of Rambuje). During the Kosovo War (1998–1999), this tower served as the headquarters of the KLA (UÇK) in the Kaçanik area, hosting units of the 162nd Agim Bajrami Brigade . The 3rd Company, under the command of Feriz Guri, was stationed in this building.^[1]

After the war, Hasan’s Tower has often been visited during commemorative activities, especially on 28 November(Albanian Independence Day), and is considered a symbol of resistance and national heroism.^[2]

Martyrs of the last War 1999

Bob made a significant contribution during the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA/UÇK) operations. Below is a list of some known martyrs from the neighborhood :

• Fadil Izahir Çaka
  • Date of birth: 23 November 1961
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: One of the early KLA fighters. He contributed to arms supply and supported the liberation efforts.

• Nehat Izahir Çaka
  • Date of birth: 16 January 1971
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: The youngest son of Izahir Çaka. Participated in the liberation war and heroically fell during the battle of Rakoc.

• Burhan Muhamet Zeneli
  • Date of birth: [information not available]
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: KLA fighter from Bob, killed during the battle of Rakoc on 9 April 1999.

• Muhamet Zeneli
  • Date of birth: [information not available]
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: KLA fighter who contributed to the liberation efforts and fell during the battle of Rakoc.

• Sylejman Kuka
  • Date of birth: [information not available]
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: KLA fighter from Bob, killed during the battle at Lagja e Re on 9 April 1999.

• Shaqir Kuka
  • Date of birth: [information not available]
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: KLA fighter who contributed to the liberation war and died during the battle at Lagja e Re.

• Ilir Zharku
  • Date of birth: [information not available]
  • Date of death: 9 April 1999
  • Description: KLA fighter from Bob, killed during the battle of Rakoc on 9 April 1999.

^[3]

Geography

Bob is located on the northern side of Kaçanik. It borders the central part of the town and is connected to other neighborhoods through local roads.

Population

According to census and local data, the population of Bob has changed as follows:

Year	Population
1948	387
1953	450
1961	528
1971	627
1981	1,070
1991	1,134
2011	1,796
2024	1,377

Infrastructure

The neighborhood is connected to Kaçanik’s town center by the main road network. It has access to schools, shops, and local services located in the wider urban area of Kaçanik.

Culture

Bob is known for its strong sense of community and local traditions. Social life is often tied to family ties, cultural gatherings, and town-wide events in Kaçanik.

Historical families

Bob is known as one of the oldest neighborhoods of Kaçanik, and several of its families have a long-standing presence in the town. Notably, extended family names such as Çaka, Zeneli, and Dema are frequently mentioned in local oral history and tradition as among the first settlers of the area.

Infrastructure projects in nearby areas—such as the completion of drainage works in the Çaka and Zeneli sections of Bob—further indicate the longstanding settlement patterns tied to these family groups.^[4]

Additionally, members of the Çaka family from Bob are noted among the fallen heroes (dëshmorët) of the Kosovo conflict, reinforcing their presence and contributions to the community over time.^[5]

See also

• Kaçanik

References

1. Radio Kosova e Lirë – The Kosovo Liberation Army and the liberation of Kaçanik (Accessed 30 August 2025)
2. Radio Kosova e Lirë – Visit to Hasan’s Tower on the occasion of 28 November (Accessed 30 August 2025)
3. https://www.radiokosovaelire.com/category/deshmoret/page/17/
4. Municipality of Kaçanik – Infrastructure in Bob
5. Radio Kosova e Lirë – Dëshmorët from Kaçanik

Further reading

• Municipality of Kaçanik – official information
• Local publications about the history of Kaçanik
• Oral history and community records