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48-612: Krujë castle was built in the 5th or 6th century, perched above the city with the same name as today. During the Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436 the city was unsuccessfully besieged by Andrea Thopia and Ottoman rule was restored. After Skanderbeg's rebellion in 1443 the castle withstood three massive sieges from the Turks respectively in 1450, 1466 and 1467 with garrisons usually no larger than 2,000-3,000 men under Skanderbeg's command. Mehmed II "The Conqueror" himself could not break

96-512: A small Ottoman force in central Albania. His victory encouraged the other leaders and the revolt spread throughout Albania. Later that year the Ottomans lost control of the central seaport of Vlorë . Gjergj Arianiti , who was living at the Ottoman court as a hostage, was called by rebels to lead the revolt in his family's domains. In response, he fled from Edirne and returned to Albania. In

144-583: A small group. In April 1435, Arianiti defeated another Ottoman campaign and hostilities virtually ceased until the beginning of 1436, as Murat II's military efforts were focused against Ibrahim of Karaman in Anatolia . At the end of 1435 reports of the Ragusan senate assessed the situation as calm and noted that the belligerents had retreated to their respective territories. During the revolt many attempts were made to form an anti-Ottoman coalition including

192-503: A tenth of their seasonal agricultural output, 1 ducat and 4 groshe (two-ninths of a ducat) to their lords. The Ottoman system aimed towards revenue increase to support military expenses, thus new taxes were imposed and existing ones were altered. In addition to 1/10 of agrarian production Muslim convert families were required to pay 22 akçe (~0.6 ducats) to the timar holders, while non-Muslim families had to pay 25 akçe (~0.7 ducats). Both groups were subject to additional taxes including

240-523: The Albanian–Venetian War ended when Skanderbeg and Nicholas Dukagjini signed a peace treaty with Venice, which would keep its possessions in Albania, including Dagnum , under the conditions that Venice pay a yearly sum of 1,400 ducats and that some league members would benefit from certain trade privileges, etc. The alliance was precarious. Although an official date of dissolution is unknown,

288-476: The Principality of Gjirokastër , to lead the rebels in the south. After spreading the revolt in nearby areas including Këlcyrë , Zagorie and Pogon his forces besieged the southern city of Gjirokastër , capital of the sanjak of Albania. At nearby Këlcyrë the rebels captured the castle, but the concurrent siege of Gjirokastër was prolonged and Turahan Bey attacked and defeated the troops that surrounded

336-461: The avarız , an annual cash tax that affected households registered to the cadasters. Non-Muslims were also required to pay 45 akçe (~1.3 ducats) as part of the jizya and had to supply regularly the Ottoman state with young recruits in accordance with the devşirme , which required the enlistment of young males in the Ottoman army and their conversion to Islam. Consequently, the changes in property rights, relations between feudal lords and peasants,

384-599: The battle of Savra , which happened on September 18, 1385. In the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire established itself in the Balkans with no significant resistance offered by local Christian nobles. Many of them were still fighting among themselves and did not see the Ottoman advance as a threat to their power. Although a civil war broke out between Bayezid I 's sons in 1402–13, none of the Christian noblemen in

432-485: The castle of Krujë , while in the region of Vlorë the siege of the fort of Kaninë began. Vlorë was lost to the rebels as early as May 1432, but must have been recovered by May 1434 as contemporary Venetian documents mention an Ottoman official ( subaşi ) stationed there at that time. Another Ottoman army was assembled in Manastir in the summer of 1434. Again under the command of Sinan Pasha, this Ottoman expedition

480-532: The sanjak of Albania . Protracted sieges like that of Gjirokastër , capital of the sanjak, gave the Ottoman army time to assemble large forces from other parts of the empire and to subdue the main revolt by the end of 1436. Ottoman forces conducted a number of massacres in the aftermath of the revolt. After the revolt had largely been suppressed, those who accepted Ottoman suzerainty were initially allowed to retain their holdings and partial autonomy. Many timars were also granted to local Albanians holding high posts of

528-447: The timars were granted to Ottoman Muslim spahis (feudal cavalry), while the remainder and especially remote areas, which were not under full Ottoman control, were granted to Albanian spahis, both Christian and Muslim. The replacement of the existing nobility with the timar system led to conflicts, as a result of which many rural areas were not under complete Ottoman rule. Under the previous taxation code, farmers were required to pay

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576-526: The Balkans at the time seized the opportunity to repel the Ottomans; on the contrary, Bulgarians, Serbs, and Hungarians even helped the future Sultan Mehmed I seize power by participating as his allies in the final battle against his brother. After the Ottoman civil war was over in favor of Mehmed I, his forces captured Kruja from the Thopia in 1415, Berat in 1417 from the Muzaka, Vlora and Kanina in 1417 from

624-463: The Fall of Shkodra (1468–1479) The Albanian revolt of 1432–1436 ( Albanian : Kryengritja Arbërore ) was a series of conflicts between Albanian rebels and the Ottoman Empire during the early period of Ottoman rule in the region . Prompted by the replacement of large parts of the local nobility with Ottoman landowners, centralized governance, and the Ottoman taxation system, the population and

672-479: The Holy Roman Empire. Pope Eugene IV requested troops to be sent to assist the revolt and tried to gather funds. In 1435, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg sent Fruzhin , a Bulgarian nobleman, and in early 1436 Daud, a pretender to the Ottoman throne, to negotiate the possibility of a coalition with the rebels. However, by mid-1436 a large force under Turahan Bey had been assembled. Despite

720-482: The League of Lezhë fragmented soon after its founding, with many of its members breaking away. By 1450, it had certainly ceased to function as originally intended, and only the core of the alliance under Skanderbeg and Arianiti continued to fight against the Ottomans. Some members preferred to act in line with their own interests. During the attack on the sultan in 1450, they kept changing their position between supporting

768-520: The League's territories: Skanderbeg's Rebellion (1443–1468) Contemporaneous Campaigns (1447–1462) Resistance until the Fall of Shkodra (1468–1479) The League of Lezhë ( Albanian : Lidhja e Lezhës ), also commonly referred to as the Albanian League ( Albanian : Lidhja Arbërore ), was a military and diplomatic alliance of the Albanian aristocracy , created in

816-764: The Lezha League began to disintegrate. Following the Venetians, the Northern Albanians in particular continued the fight against the Ottomans. When the Shkodra , which until then had been dominated by the Venetians, was taken by the Ottomans in 1479, the resistance collapsed, and the entire Albanian settlement area was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire. There was also a short war between Albania and Venice in 1447–1448, but on October 4, 1448,

864-679: The Ottomans and joining Skanderbeg. After Pjetër Spani and Gjergj Dushmani left the alliance, and after the Arianiti and Dukagjini left it in 1450, members of the Dukagjini family concluded peace with the Ottoman Empire and even began to plot against Skanderbeg. For 25 years, from 1443–68, Skanderbeg's 10,000-strong army marched through Ottoman territory, winning against increasingly larger and better-supplied Ottoman forces. Threatened by Ottoman advances in their homeland, Hungary, and later Naples and Venice – their former enemies – provided

912-636: The Ottomans at Torvioll (1444) , Mokra (1445) , Otonetë (1446) , Oranik (1448) , a loss at Svetigrad (1448) victory in Polog (1453) , victory at Krujë (1450) , Albulena (1457) , Ohrid (1464) , Mokra (1462) and many others. Skanderbeg's first big victory against the Ottomans was at the Battle of Torvioll, and the news of the victory of the Albanians over the Turks spread very quickly in Europe. In

960-602: The Venetians to outlaw their activity in October 1436. As Ottoman rule in the Balkans expanded, Albanian timar holders and officials were once again replaced with Anatolian ones. The status quo ante bellum policies of the Ottomans gradually led to the formation of the League of Lezhë under Skanderbeg in 1444 and the beginning of a new era in the Ottoman-Albanian wars. League of Lezh%C3%AB Outside of

1008-450: The administration, especially during the rule of Yakup Bey Muzaka and Skanderbeg . Throughout the pacification process, various primarily rural areas were still in revolt and new rebellions erupted, like that of Theodor Corona Musachi in 1437. As the empire further extended its area of rule in the Balkans, centralization attempts and the replacement of local timar holders with Ottoman landowners resumed. These policies would lead in part to

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1056-509: The affairs of the domains of other nobles", acting only as the supreme military leader, as primus inter pares. Barleti referred to the meeting as the generalis concilium or universum concilium ("general council" or "whole council"); the term "League of Lezhë" was coined by subsequent historians. Initiated and organized under Venetian patronage, through treaties, the league was put under King Alfonso V , with Skanderbeg as captain general. The League's forces had victories against

1104-469: The assembly of Lezha, members from the families Kastrioti , Arianiti , Zaharia , Muzaka , Spani , Thopia , Balsha and Crnojević which were linked matrilineally or via marriage to the Kastrioti, were present. The members contributed to the league with men and money while maintaining control of the internal affairs of their domains. Soon after its creation, the pro-Venetian Balsha and Crnojevići left

1152-404: The castle's small defenses until 1478, 10 years after the death of Skanderbeg. Today it is a center of tourism in Albania, and a source of inspiration to Albanians. Krujë Castle is situated at an elevation of 557 metres (1,827 ft). The Albanian people are identified with the history of Kruje Castle. This castle is one of the most visited places in Albania. Within the fortress is located one of

1200-467: The castle. The castle is depicted on the reverses of the Albanian 1000 lekë banknote of 1992–1996, and of the 5000 lekë banknote issued since 1996. This article about a castle in Albania is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Albanian Revolt of 1432-1436 Skanderbeg's Rebellion (1443–1468) Contemporaneous Campaigns (1447–1462) Resistance until

1248-501: The city in early 1433. Zenebishi himself was captured and executed. In the summer of 1433 an army led by Sinan Pasha, beylerbey of Rumelia , pillaged the areas of Kanina and Yannina and moved northwards, where they subdued the rebels in the domains of Gjon Kastrioti , who was reduced again to vassal status, while his son Skanderbeg , who was also called to join the revolt, remained in Ottoman service in Anatolia. In August 1433,

1296-580: The city of Lezhë on 2 March 1444. The League of Lezhë is considered the first unified independent Albanian country in the Medieval age , with Skanderbeg as leader of the regional Albanian chieftains and nobles united against the Ottoman Empire . Skanderbeg was proclaimed "Chief of the League of the Albanian People," while Skanderbeg always signed himself as " Dominus Albaniae" ( Albanian : Zot i Arbërisë , English : Lord of Albania ). At

1344-470: The city's skyline. Another attraction for tourists is the Ethnographic Museum , located in the south side of Kruje Castle. This museum is designed based on a typical house of 19th century. It reveals the sustainable methods of tools, food, drink and furniture production in a typical household. There are also objects and old wood and metal supplies that represent the lifestyle back then in

1392-470: The death of Serbian Emperor Stefan Dušan in 1355, the magnates in Albania established their own dominions. When Ottoman forces entered Albania, they were faced with small principalities that were engaged in vicious fights among themselves. The first battle against the Ottoman forces in Albania was that of Balša II , the Lord of Zeta , when Karl Thopia invited the Ottomans, who defeated and killed Balša II in

1440-461: The fall of Constantinople , Albanians received financial aid from Naples and Venice as well as from the Pope. Until 1462, Skanderbeg's troops were able to defeat the Ottomans every year without significantly weakening their superiority. Every year, the sultan was able to send a new army without difficulty. Only in 1460 and 1463 did ceasefires interrupt the fighting. In 1462, Skanderbeg succeeded in taking

1488-530: The financial backbone and support for Skanderbeg's army. After Skanderbeg's death in 1468, the Sultan "easily subdued Albania", but Skanderbeg's death did not end the struggle for independence. The League of Lezhë was the basis for an Albanian state. The formation of the League meant that for the first time, Albania was united under an Albanian leader. Some historians regard the League as an independent Albanian state. Others do not accept this view, saying that it

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1536-596: The formation of the League of Lezhë under Skanderbeg in 1444, and a new era in the Ottoman–Albanian wars . Gradually in the late 14th and early 15th century the Ottoman Empire defeated local Albanian principalities, forming the sanjak of Albania as an administrative division of the empire. As part of the Timar system the local feudal lords were largely replaced with Ottomans from Anatolia . The cadastral survey ( defter ) of 1431–1432 indicates that about 75% to 80% of

1584-434: The ideological framework linked to that period. Nikola und Paul Dukagjin, Leka Zaharia von Dagno, Peter Span, Herr der Berge hinter Drivasto, Georg Strez Balsha sowie Johann und Gojko Balsha, die sich zwischen Kruja und Alessio festgesetzt hatten, die Dushman von Klein-Polatum sowie Stefan (Stefanica) Crnojevic, der Herr der Oberzeta Andrea Thopia of Scuria between Tirana and Durazzo with his nephew, Tanush Thopia Even this

1632-513: The important city of Ohrid . In 1466 the second siege of Kruje Castle was knocked down. However, the Ottomans founded the fortress Elbasan south in the valley of the Shkumbin and thus finally settled in Albania. In 1467 a third siege of Kruje failed. By 1468, the 10,000-strong Skanderbeg army could withstand the Ottomans. The Albanians received financial support from Venice and from the kings of Hungary and Naples. After Skanderbeg died in 1468,

1680-504: The league in the events that led to the Albanian–Venetian War (1447–48). The peace treaty of the Albanian-Venetian war signed on October 4, 1448, is the first diplomatic document on which the league appears as an independent entity. Barleti referred to the meeting as the generalis concilium or universum concilium ("general council" or "whole council"); the term "League of Lezhë" was coined by subsequent historians. After

1728-555: The main attractions, the National Museum " George Castroti Skanderbeg " (Muzeu Kombetar " Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu" in Albanian) . This museum was built in early 1980s by architects Pranvera Masha and Pirro Vaso. Inside the museum a lot of original bibliography, documents, objects and authentic reproductions that represent the history of Albanian people in the fifteenth century are displayed. This museum has become an icon of

1776-435: The meeting. The military alliance was made up of the feudal lords in Albania, who had to contribute to the league with men and money. Skanderbeg was proclaimed "Chief of the League of the Albanian People." Thus, he was the League's leader and commander-in-chief of its combined armed forces, which numbered 8,000 warriors. All the territorial lords had their own domains and affairs; "Skanderbeg had no right to interfere with

1824-415: The military victories the rebel leaders acted autonomously without a central leadership, the lack of which contributed greatly to their final defeat. Turahan's forces eventually subdued the revolt and marched through Albania, committing widespread massacres of civilians. In order to stabilize Ottoman authority, Murat II appointed native Albanians like Yakup Bey Muzaka and Skanderbeg to high positions within

1872-557: The nobles, led principally by Gjergj Arianiti , revolted against the Ottomans. During the early phases of the revolt, many land ( timar ) holders were killed or expelled. As it spread, the nobles, whose holdings had been annexed by the Ottomans returned to join the revolt and attempts to form alliances with the Holy Roman Empire were initiated. While the leaders of the revolt were successful in defeating successive Ottoman campaigns, they failed to capture many important towns of

1920-474: The revolt in general. Dukagjini was not aware that Hasan Bey, the Ottoman governor of Dagnum, had requested Venetian assistance after his defeat. As Venice did not want to provoke Ottoman hostility, the captain of Shkodër (Scutari) was ordered to assist Hasan Bey in recapturing Dagnum. Arms were subsequently sent to the garrison of Lezhë (Alessio) and by 1435 the fort had been returned to Ottoman control. In central Albania, Andrea Thopia unsuccessfully besieged

1968-497: The sanjak of Albania. The nobles who accepted Ottoman overlordship were granted their pre-Ottoman holdings and border estates as well as a degree of autonomy, while others were exiled or continued warring. In 1436–37, rebels were active in the regions of Gjirokastër and Vlorë and Theodor Corona Musachi led a revolt in the region of Berat . As many rebels used Venetian territories like Shkodër and Parga as bases to launch raids into Ottoman territory, representatives of Mehmed II asked

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2016-729: The senate of Venice convened to evaluate the situation and deemed that the revolt posed a threat to the Venetian territories in the region too. However, by the end of October they re-evaluated the crisis and rejected the deployment of a war galley to the Venetian colonies. In northern Albania Nicholas Dukagjini captured territories of the pre-Ottoman Principality of Dukagjini and besieged and captured Dagnum . Dukagjini then tried to ally himself with Venice by offering to accept Venetian suzerainty and granting them control of Dagnum. However, Venice refused any kind of involvement in his plan and

2064-417: The taxation system and the enactment of devşirme resulted in further resistance. As changes affecting both nobles and peasants were principally implemented through registration in the cadastral survey, many families tried to avoid becoming registered in the 1431–2 survey and took refugee in mountainous areas, while the nobility prepared for armed conflict. The revolt began in 1432 when Andrea Thopia defeated

2112-519: The two years that followed, the Albanian-Tetan coalition won over the Ottomans. On May 14, 1450, the first siege of Kruja began, which the Ottomans had to end the following year without success. In 1451, Skanderbeg formed an alliance with the Kingdom of Naples for the time being; however, the Albanians received no help from there. In 1452, the Ottomans were defeated at Mokrra and Meçadi. After

2160-625: The widow of Balša III , and Gjirokastër in 1418 from the Zenevisi . Under pressure from the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice, the Albanian Principalities began to vacillate. Some Albanian nobility revolted in 1432–36 . In November 1443, Skanderbeg captured Kruja with his troops and declared its independence from the Sultan. The League of Lezhë was founded on 2 March 1444 by: Delegates from Venice were present at

2208-510: The winter of 1432, Sultan Murat II gathered around 10,000 troops under Ali Bey , who marched along the Via Egnatia and reached the central valley of Shkumbin , where he was ambushed and defeated by forces under Gjergj Arianiti. His victory prompted the Albanians in the area of Gjirokastër to call upon Depë Zenebishi , who had settled in his estates in Corfu after the Ottoman conquest of

2256-501: Was defeated by Gjergj Arianiti in south-central Albania in August 1434. After his defeat, all beys of the territories bordering Albania were ordered to gather their forces and attack the rebels. In December 1434 Ishak Bey , sanjakbey of Üsküb marched into south-central Albania but was defeated by Gjergj Arianiti. Contemporary sources from the senate of Ragusa mention that many Ottoman soldiers were captured, while Ishak Bey escaped with

2304-418: Was only a military league. However, the League provided the basic elements of Albanian unity. Skanderbeg and the League of Lezhë have become part of Albanian historiography . That period of history, categorized as a pre-communist time, is seen by many as mythical and unchallengeable. In these cases, struggles against the Ottoman Empire and other foreign powers and processes of national self-definition support

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