555th anniversary of Gjergj Kastriot's death

In Lezha, on January 17th of 1468, Gjergj Kastriot é Skenderbeu (63 years old), warrior, diplomat, statesman, Albanian National Heroi. For Skenderbe, the years until 1468, when he died, they were burdened with tension, activity and negotiations abroad, and the battle without letup within the country.

In 1463, after promises by Pope Pius II and other states in Italy and central Europe to organize a crusade against the Ottoman Empire, especially after the campaign was officially declared by Pope Pius II, Skenderbeus violated the peace treaty with Sultan Mehmet.

The pope suddenly died, and the promised Crusade did not occur, while the Albanian lands were subjected to a systematic destruction. But it was Skenderbeu's death for Albanians to abandon all hopes.

Gjergj Kastriot, known as Skenderbeu, was a feudal and arber military leader who originally fought for the Ottoman Empire and then led a rebellion against it.

A member of the noble family of the Kastriots, he was taken hostage to the imperial Ottoman court, where he was educated and served the sultan for the next 20 years. It rose according to degrees, climaxing in the appointment of Sandzakbe of Dibra Sandzak in 1440. In 1443, he abandoned the Ottomans during the battle of Nis and became ruler of Kruja, Sfegrad, and Modric. Skenderbeu was able to conquer Crewe by using a forged letter of the sultan and hanging by the spear seized Ottoman officials who refused to be baptized as Christians.

In 1444 he led the League of Lezha. Despite his military value, he was unable to do more than retain his belongings within a very small three in northern Albania, where almost all his victories against the Ottomans took place. Skenderbeu fought defensive warfare, and for 25 years, from 1443 to 1468, his army fought and won against Ottoman forces, which were constantly larger and more supplied. Which he was admired for.

Albania's national hero, who sealed resistance against conquering Turks in the 15th century by his works and was an example for all later heroes.

Gjergj Kastriot, Albania's national hero, was born in 1405 in the royal family of the Kastriots.

Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu died at 63 and is considered by many Western European countries as the hero who prevented the Ottoman Empire from conquering Europe's West

Skenderbeu's death meant the end of Albania's independence, which only caused it to appear as a united and independent state. Crewe, who for many years came to be called the Acropolis of Christianity, resisted just another siege without its leadership.

It remained in history as a warrior, a general of principle and ideals. He was recognised as commander of all Albanian tribes and managed to stop the spread of Turkish hordes in the Balkans for 25 years without losing even one battle.

Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbej remains the legendary figure of the Albanian nation in centuries, a legend, the true image of a hero, always on the front line of war, who never hesitated to sacrifice his life for his ideals, for what he believed, for his homeland and his fellow fighters.