First Siege of Krujë
Encyclopedia
The First Siege of Krujë occurred in 1450 when an Ottoman
army of approximately 100,000 men laid siege to Krujë
in Albania
. The League of Lezhë
, led by Skanderbeg
, suffered to low morale after the losses of Svetigrad and Berat
in 1448-1450. Nevertheless, Skanderbeg's exhortations and the support of the clergy, who claimed to have had visions of angels and victory, gave the Albanian warriors the morale to defend the capital of the League, Krujë, at all costs.
After leaving a protective garrison of 4,000 men under his trusted lieutenant Vrana Konti
(also known as Kont Urani), Skanderbeg harassed the Ottoman camps around Krujë and attacked the supply caravans of Sultan
Murad II
's army. By September the Ottoman camp was in disarray as morale sank and disease ran rampant. The Ottoman army acknowledged that the castle of Krujë would not fall by strength of arms, lifted the siege, and made its way to Edirne
. Soon thereafter in the winter of 1450-1451, Murad died in Edirne and was succeeded by his son, Mehmed II
.
laid siege to the fortress of Svetigrad (which is thought to be today's Demir Hisar
) on May 14, 1448, with a force of 80,000 men. Svetigrad was an important strategic point, since it controlled the routes from Macedonia into Albania. The small garrison, composed of Albanians
, Bulgarians
, and other Europeans, held the fortress while Scanderbeg attacked the Ottoman camp from outside. After the Ottomans poisoned the wells, a group of defenders decided to open the gates and let the Turks in, thus giving control of the fortress to the Ottomans. The Sultan retired from Albania and Skanderbeg laid siege to Svetigrad on September 23, 1448. After several failed assaults, Skanderbeg lifted the siege and retreated. In early 1450, Berat
was captured by the pasha of Gjirokastër
through a night attack, causing Gjergj Arianit
to desert Skandebeg's cause.
)." This speech, along with many other visions of the clergy, raised Albanians' morale, motivating them to fight.
Before the siege began, Skanderbeg exited Krujë with 8,000 men (2,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry) and found Mount Tumenishta (now known as Mount Skënderbeu) as a suitable position for attacks against the Ottoman army. Krujë was left with a garrison of 4,000 men under the command of Vrana Konti
. Vrana had under his command several Germans
, Italians, and Frenchmen
, to whom he emphasized the importance of the siege and also ordered them to their positions. Krujë had enough supplies for a sixteen month siege. The women and children of Krujë were sent for protection to Venetian possessed cities
, whereas the others were ordered to burn their crops and move into the mountains and fortresses.
side and the remainder were aimed at the main gateway.
feigned an attack with about 500 horsemen: the alarm was given and the Turks prepared for his attack. Meanwhile, Skanderbeg and his forces moved around the camp and broke in where least expected. Before an organized counter attack could be made, Skanderbeg retreated from the camp. The attacks made by Skanderbeg caused the Turks to aim some of their cannons towards the expected guerrilla forces, instead of the fortress. A large force of Turkish cavalry was sent out, which Skanderbeg followed up to the mouth of the Ishëm River
, until they turned back to Krujë.
While Skanderbeg had been away, a large Ottoman assault was made on Krujë from the Tirana side, but inadvertent friendly fire
from the Turks forced them to call off the assault. The Ottomans then attempted to mine the fortress, but could not succeed, since the fortress had been built on rock. Since the food supplies were beginning to run out, the Turks received provisions from Venice
, as did the Albanians. The Turkish attacks had made no headway and the Ottoman army had lost many dead or wounded, whereas Skanderbeg's force had lost 1,000 men thus far. Moisi Golemi and Tanush Thopia
raised a couple thousand more and the force was split between the three, making attacks on the Turkish camp easier. Skanderbeg began to move towards the camp as the Turks had assembled 8,000 men which began to move towards him. Skanderbeg slowly retired, while Moisi and Tanush broke into the camp. The Turkish force sent against Skanderbeg was lured towards the foothills and the next morning (July 25) they were surrounded and completely destroyed. The next day, Skanderbeg was seen above the rocks of Krujë, in conference with Vrana Konti, surprising Murad.
The siege cost 20,000 Ottoman casualties and over 1,000 Albanian casualties. Marin Barleti
claims that Murad died of disease under the fortress of Krujë, but Murad in fact died in Edirne
in 1451. Murad began to retire from Albania out of fear of losing even more men from the Albanian winter, however the retreat itself caused the loss of thousands of Ottoman troops due to attacks from local Albanian militias. Skanderbeg was at the end of his resources. He travelled to Ragusa
, urging for assistance, and the Ragusans informed Pope Nicholas V
. Through financial assistance, Skanderbeg managed to hold Krujë and regain much of his territory. Skanderbeg's success brought praise from all over Europe and ambassadors were sent to him from Rome
, Naples
, Hungary, and Burgundy
. Skanderbeg then became a vassal of Alfonso V
, on March 26, 1451, by the Treaty of Gaeta
, gaining much needed men and supplies from the crown of Aragon
.
According to legend, one night during the siege Skanderbeg sent out a herd of goats with a candle on each of the goats' horns. The encamped Turks believed it to be an Albanian attack and made a movement against the herd. When the Turks advanced far enough, Skanderbeg launched an attack against the force, destroying it. After the siege was lifted, Skanderbeg commemorated his victory by designing a helmet with the head of a goat on it, as a reference to his "ingenious tactics" used that night.
, a prominent Albanian poet, wrote of how the siege of Krujë had saved Europe from Ottoman invasion. Today, Albanians take pride in the actions performed during the siege. The Skanderbeg Museum
, in Krujë, has many commemorations to the siege and the film Skënderbeu (1953) stages the siege. The siege is the setting of the novel Kështjella
by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare
.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
army of approximately 100,000 men laid siege to Krujë
Krujë
Krujë is a town in north central Albania and the capital of the municipality and the Krujë District. It has a population of about 15,900. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishëm River, the city is only 20 km from the capital of Albania, Tirana....
in Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
. The League of Lezhë
League of Lezhë
The League of Lezhë was an alliance of Albanian Principalities forged in Lezhë on the 2nd of March 1444. It was initiated and organised by Skanderbeg with the aim of uniting the Albanian principalities that had been founded in the 12th - 14th centuries, to fight the Ottoman Armies...
, led by Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg
George Kastrioti Skanderbeg or Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu , widely known as Skanderbeg , was a 15th-century Albanian lord. He was appointed as the governor of the Sanjak of Dibra by the Ottomans in 1440...
, suffered to low morale after the losses of Svetigrad and Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
in 1448-1450. Nevertheless, Skanderbeg's exhortations and the support of the clergy, who claimed to have had visions of angels and victory, gave the Albanian warriors the morale to defend the capital of the League, Krujë, at all costs.
After leaving a protective garrison of 4,000 men under his trusted lieutenant Vrana Konti
Vrana Konti
Vrana Konti or Kont Uran Altisferi was a 15th century Albanian count and one of the closest collaborators of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Up to his death in 1458 he was the counselor of Skanderbeg and one of his best commanders....
(also known as Kont Urani), Skanderbeg harassed the Ottoman camps around Krujë and attacked the supply caravans of Sultan
Ottoman Dynasty
The Ottoman Dynasty ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1299 to 1922, beginning with Osman I , though the dynasty was not proclaimed until Orhan Bey declared himself sultan...
Murad II
Murad II
Murad II Kodja was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 ....
's army. By September the Ottoman camp was in disarray as morale sank and disease ran rampant. The Ottoman army acknowledged that the castle of Krujë would not fall by strength of arms, lifted the siege, and made its way to Edirne
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
. Soon thereafter in the winter of 1450-1451, Murad died in Edirne and was succeeded by his son, Mehmed II
Mehmed II
Mehmed II , was Sultan of the Ottoman Empire for a short time from 1444 to September 1446, and later from...
.
Campaigns of 1448 and early 1450
After several failed invasions of Albania by Ottoman captains, Murad IIMurad II
Murad II Kodja was the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1421 to 1451 ....
laid siege to the fortress of Svetigrad (which is thought to be today's Demir Hisar
Demir Hisar
Demir Hisar , or in Slavic translation known as Železnec , is an area spreading on the South West part of Macedonia to the North West of the Pelagonian plain, around the river flow of the Black River with her inflows...
) on May 14, 1448, with a force of 80,000 men. Svetigrad was an important strategic point, since it controlled the routes from Macedonia into Albania. The small garrison, composed of Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
, Bulgarians
Bulgarians
The Bulgarians are a South Slavic nation and ethnic group native to Bulgaria and neighbouring regions. Emigration has resulted in immigrant communities in a number of other countries.-History and ethnogenesis:...
, and other Europeans, held the fortress while Scanderbeg attacked the Ottoman camp from outside. After the Ottomans poisoned the wells, a group of defenders decided to open the gates and let the Turks in, thus giving control of the fortress to the Ottomans. The Sultan retired from Albania and Skanderbeg laid siege to Svetigrad on September 23, 1448. After several failed assaults, Skanderbeg lifted the siege and retreated. In early 1450, Berat
Berat
Berat is a town located in south-central Albania. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of around 71,000 people. It is the capital of both the District of Berat and the larger County of Berat...
was captured by the pasha of Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër
Gjirokastër is a city in southern Albania with a population of 43,000. Lying in the historical region of Epirus, it is the capital of both the Gjirokastër District and the larger Gjirokastër County...
through a night attack, causing Gjergj Arianit
Gjergj Arianit Komneni
Gjergj Arianiti was an important Albanian hero and the great uncle of Moisi Arianit Golemi. He was also the father of Gjergj Kastrioti's wife Marina Donika . He shared a distant relation from his great grandmother with the famous Byzantine Komnenos dynasty, originating in Paphlagonia, Asia Minor...
to desert Skandebeg's cause.
Albanian morale before the siege
The morale of the Albanians sank after the losses in the previous years. When the Turks began marching towards Krujë on April 5, 1450, the people claimed to have seen cherubims and angels flying over Albania. Skanderbeg himself claimed that he had received a vision of St. George handing him a flaming sword to "destroy the enemies of true religion (ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
)." This speech, along with many other visions of the clergy, raised Albanians' morale, motivating them to fight.
Albanian dispositions and preparations
Vrana Konti
Vrana Konti or Kont Uran Altisferi was a 15th century Albanian count and one of the closest collaborators of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Up to his death in 1458 he was the counselor of Skanderbeg and one of his best commanders....
. Vrana had under his command several Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, Italians, and Frenchmen
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, to whom he emphasized the importance of the siege and also ordered them to their positions. Krujë had enough supplies for a sixteen month siege. The women and children of Krujë were sent for protection to Venetian possessed cities
Albania Veneta
Venetian Albania was the name for the possessions of the Venetian Republic in southern Dalmatia that existed from 1420 to 1797. It originally covered the coastal area of what is now northern Albania and the coast of Montenegro, but the Albanian and southern Montenegrin parts were lost to the...
, whereas the others were ordered to burn their crops and move into the mountains and fortresses.
Ottoman dispositions and preparations
Murad reached Krujë on May 14 with approximately 100,000 of his best soldiers (60,000 of which was cavalry) . Murad proposed to Vrana that he should hand over the fortress, but Vrana refused. After receiving the refusal, Murad set his army to cast ten cannons, one of which could fire rocks weighing 400 pounds and another 200 pounds. Despite the fire power, the Turkish firing positions were at a disadvantage since Krujë "was almost part of the mountain which it had been built." The cannons could fire two or three times a day and were not accurate. Two large and four smaller guns were placed on the TiranaTirana
Tirana is the capital and the largest city of Albania. Modern Tirana was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet, although the area has been continuously inhabited since antiquity. Tirana became Albania's capital city in 1920 and has a population of over...
side and the remainder were aimed at the main gateway.
Siege
First phase
Murad fired on Krujë for four days until a breach was finally made. The Sultan believed that he had the advantage and ordered his troops through the walls. The garrison managed to push the assault back thus gaining time to repair the walls. Murad, fearing a counter attack from Skanderbeg, sent a scouting patrol towards the surrounding mountains to watch for an attack. Skanderbeg still managed to lead, at dusk, a raid on the Turkish encampment, killing several hundred men, capturing and destroying Turkish supplies, and almost losing his own life. When Skanderbeg returned to his men, his "shield was so battered that its shape was scarce to be discerned." The raid cost Skanderbeg ten dead and even more wounded. The assault continued however, with the guns sounding from time to time. The defenders were not facing great difficulty, however. Sixty of them sallied forth to do whatever damage they could, and those at the walls repelled all attempts to enter. The main weight of the attack had come from the Tirana side, where the Turkish losses had been heavy.Second phase
When the second assault began, the Turks tried to break through the gate with their lances. After heavy casualties, the attackers retreated and Murad held for the next two days a council of all his generals. An immediate precaution was to guard the camp against another surprise attack, which was responded to by placing a force of men, under the command of Prince Mehmed, where the first attack had taken place. Moisi Arianit GolemiMoisi Arianit Golemi
Moisi Arianit Golemi, , the Albanian feudal lord of Dibra, and grandnephew of Gjergj Arianit Komneni....
feigned an attack with about 500 horsemen: the alarm was given and the Turks prepared for his attack. Meanwhile, Skanderbeg and his forces moved around the camp and broke in where least expected. Before an organized counter attack could be made, Skanderbeg retreated from the camp. The attacks made by Skanderbeg caused the Turks to aim some of their cannons towards the expected guerrilla forces, instead of the fortress. A large force of Turkish cavalry was sent out, which Skanderbeg followed up to the mouth of the Ishëm River
Ishëm River
The Ishëm River is a river in western Albania. It forms part of a watercourse that measures 79 km, but only the lower third of the watercourse is known as the Ishëm. The Ishëm proper is formed at the confluence of the rivers Gjole and Zezë, a few km northwest of Fushë-Krujë. It flows into the...
, until they turned back to Krujë.
While Skanderbeg had been away, a large Ottoman assault was made on Krujë from the Tirana side, but inadvertent friendly fire
Friendly fire
Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...
from the Turks forced them to call off the assault. The Ottomans then attempted to mine the fortress, but could not succeed, since the fortress had been built on rock. Since the food supplies were beginning to run out, the Turks received provisions from Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, as did the Albanians. The Turkish attacks had made no headway and the Ottoman army had lost many dead or wounded, whereas Skanderbeg's force had lost 1,000 men thus far. Moisi Golemi and Tanush Thopia
Tanush Thopia
Tanush Thopia was an Albanian nobleman of the 15th century and one of the closest collaborators of George Kastrioti Skanderbeg.Thopia descended from the Thopia family. He was a commander of the infantry of the League of Lezhe, and his garrison became famous for their resistance during the Second...
raised a couple thousand more and the force was split between the three, making attacks on the Turkish camp easier. Skanderbeg began to move towards the camp as the Turks had assembled 8,000 men which began to move towards him. Skanderbeg slowly retired, while Moisi and Tanush broke into the camp. The Turkish force sent against Skanderbeg was lured towards the foothills and the next morning (July 25) they were surrounded and completely destroyed. The next day, Skanderbeg was seen above the rocks of Krujë, in conference with Vrana Konti, surprising Murad.
Final phase
After Vrana had returned to the castle, a pasha was chosen to have a conference with Vrana bringing him many rich presents. The pasha tried to convince the count that Murad would be a more suitable master than Skanderbeg was, and that the siege was almost over, but Vrana refused to surrender. As a result a fresh Ottoman assault began. Meanwhile, Murad sent an envoy trying to convince Skanderbeg to capitulate by offering 10,000 crowns annually. Skanderbeg also refused replying: "Nay if Murad did divide with me and make me co-partner with all his empire, I would never suffer the name of Albania to be stained and blemished with this blot of disgrace and infamy." The assault continued, and the Albanian positions seemed desperate. On October 14, Skanderbeg offered Krujë to the Venetians, threatening to capitulate the fortress to the Turks if they did not accept it. The Venetians did not accept the castle, but on October 26, Murad lifted the siege making Skanderbeg's bluff unnecessary.Aftermath
Marin Barleti
Marin Barleti . was an Albanian historian and Catholic priest. He is considered the first Albanian historian, especially because of his biography on Skanderbeg, translated in many languages in the 16th to the 18th centuries.-Life:Barleti lived in Shkodër and was a scholar and a clergyman...
claims that Murad died of disease under the fortress of Krujë, but Murad in fact died in Edirne
Edirne
Edirne is a city in Eastern Thrace, the northwestern part of Turkey, close to the borders with Greece and Bulgaria. Edirne served as the capital city of the Ottoman Empire from 1365 to 1453, before Constantinople became the empire's new capital. At present, Edirne is the capital of the Edirne...
in 1451. Murad began to retire from Albania out of fear of losing even more men from the Albanian winter, however the retreat itself caused the loss of thousands of Ottoman troops due to attacks from local Albanian militias. Skanderbeg was at the end of his resources. He travelled to Ragusa
Republic of Ragusa
The Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik was a maritime republic centered on the city of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia , that existed from 1358 to 1808...
, urging for assistance, and the Ragusans informed Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V
Pope Nicholas V , born Tommaso Parentucelli, was Pope from March 6, 1447 to his death in 1455.-Biography:He was born at Sarzana, Liguria, where his father was a physician...
. Through financial assistance, Skanderbeg managed to hold Krujë and regain much of his territory. Skanderbeg's success brought praise from all over Europe and ambassadors were sent to him from Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Naples
Kingdom of Naples
The Kingdom of Naples, comprising the southern part of the Italian peninsula, was the remainder of the old Kingdom of Sicily after secession of the island of Sicily as a result of the Sicilian Vespers rebellion of 1282. Known to contemporaries as the Kingdom of Sicily, it is dubbed Kingdom of...
, Hungary, and Burgundy
Duchy of Burgundy
The Duchy of Burgundy , was heir to an ancient and prestigious reputation and a large division of the lands of the Second Kingdom of Burgundy and in its own right was one of the geographically larger ducal territories in the emergence of Early Modern Europe from Medieval Europe.Even in that...
. Skanderbeg then became a vassal of Alfonso V
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
, on March 26, 1451, by the Treaty of Gaeta
Treaty of Gaeta
The Treaty of Gaeta was a political treaty stipulated in Gaeta on March 26, 1451, between Alfonso V for the Kingdom of Naples and from Stefan, Bishop of Krujë, and Nikollë de Berguçi, ambassadors of Skanderbeg...
, gaining much needed men and supplies from the crown of Aragon
Crown of Aragon
The Crown of Aragon Corona d'Aragón Corona d'Aragó Corona Aragonum controlling a large portion of the present-day eastern Spain and southeastern France, as well as some of the major islands and mainland possessions stretching across the Mediterranean as far as Greece...
.
According to legend, one night during the siege Skanderbeg sent out a herd of goats with a candle on each of the goats' horns. The encamped Turks believed it to be an Albanian attack and made a movement against the herd. When the Turks advanced far enough, Skanderbeg launched an attack against the force, destroying it. After the siege was lifted, Skanderbeg commemorated his victory by designing a helmet with the head of a goat on it, as a reference to his "ingenious tactics" used that night.
Popular culture and legacy
Naim FrashëriNaim Frashëri
Naim Frashëri was an Albanian poet and writer. He was one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening of the 19th century, together with his two brothers Sami and Abdyl...
, a prominent Albanian poet, wrote of how the siege of Krujë had saved Europe from Ottoman invasion. Today, Albanians take pride in the actions performed during the siege. The Skanderbeg Museum
Skanderbeg Museum
The Skanderbeg Museum is in Krujë, Albania. It honors George Kastrioti Skanderbeg , a national hero of Albania. The museum is located inside Krujë Castle and the restored bazaar. The citadel includes a restored house from the Ottoman era that is now the Ethnographic Museum.- External links :* * ,...
, in Krujë, has many commemorations to the siege and the film Skënderbeu (1953) stages the siege. The siege is the setting of the novel Kështjella
The Castle (Kadare)
The Castle is a novel by Albanian author Ismail Kadare, first published in 1970 in Tirana as Kështjella. It tells about the Albanian-Ottoman war during the time of Skanderbeg.It is also known as The Siege....
by Albanian writer Ismail Kadare
Ismail Kadare
Ismail Kadare is an Albanian writer. He is known for his novels, although he was first noticed for his poetry collections. In the 1960s he focused on short stories until the publication of his first novel, The General of the Dead Army. In 1996 he became a lifetime member of the Academy of Moral...
.