Every story needs a hero... | Lezhe, Albania

Every story needs a hero...

That's creative writing 101, right?

The story of Albania shines most brightly through their favorite son, Skenderbeg.  Afterall, the nation's flag, the fearsome double-headed black eagle, comes from his family's crest.

Skenderbeg's Mausoleum, Lezhe

Born in 1405, he lived in Albania until age 18 when he was whisked away as a hostage by an Ottoman sultan.  Trained by the Ottomans and groomed as a leader then placed into leadership back in his homeland, he defects during a battle and organizes a league to push out the invaders in his people's land.

The shields on the wall each represent a different battle led by Skenderbeg

He goes on to live another 25 years as a brilliant warrior, diplomat, and over all leader uniting the various groups within Albania to fight against their common enemy, the Ottomans. In spite of limited human and financial resources, of 25 battles, he only lost 2.  He is considered one of the most significant figures in European history during the 15th century.

His physical strength was legendary, supposedly able to split a cow in two with one blow of his massive sword, he is also credited with having killed 3,000 Ottomans by his own hand.

"Une jam Shiptar!"  (I am Albanian!)
So proud of my children's heritage -- can you tell?

Upon Skenderbeg's death from malaria in 1468, Albania eventually falls under Ottoman control. But for more than two decades he had diffused their strength and prevented them from advancing further into Europe.

Had Greater Europe come to his aid, we believe Albania would look quite different today.

Posthumously Skenderbeg (along with another great warrior, the Hungarian Janos Hunyadi, who incidently happens to be the namesake of the street we live on here in Tirana) was heralded by the Pope as "Christ's Champion" for saving Europe from the spread of Isl*m.

Skenderbeg's family was bestowed a royal title in Italy and his descendants can be found in several royal households across Europe today.

We are getting quite the collection of 'canon' shots.  Sometime I'll have to post them all together in one place!  It's pretty much the ONLY place Reni requests to have his photo taken, so we oblige.

Legend has it that knowing Skenderbeg's grave would be targeted by his enemies, locals buried another unfortunate soul in his place.  Tragically, as predicted, the site was dug up and the bones made into necklaces in hopes of conferring his courage and strength upon the wearer.

So while this mausoleum isn't technically his burial site anymore... maybe it sort of is???