Skanderbeg, the hero of the Albanians

On 17th January, we commemorate the values of one of the most important heroes of the Albanians, Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu. Since the day of birth is still unknown (some say it was the 6th of May), the date of death is well documented. On this day, there are meetings, forums, and academic events held in Tirana.

Who was Skanderbeg?

Gjergj Kastriot Skenderbeu was born in 1405, northern Albania—died Jan. 17, 1468, Lezhë, Albania. He was the national hero of the Albanians.

A son of John (Gjon) Kastrioti, prince of Emathia, George was early given as hostage to the Turkish sultan. Converted to Islām and educated at Edirne, Turkey, he was given the name Iskander—after Alexander the Great—and the rank of bey (hence Skanderbeg) by Sultan Murad II. During the defeat of the Turks at Niš (1443), in Serbia, Skanderbeg abandoned the Turkish service and joined his Albanian countrymen against the forces of Islām. He embraced Christianity, reclaimed his family possessions, and in 1444 organized a league of Albanian princes, over which he was appointed commander in chief.