Kruje and the Hero of Albania

I had the privilege to visit the city of Kruje this weekend. It is about a 30-40 min drive outside Tirana. The landscape is stunning with the majestic mountains overlooking the vally of farmland and smaller communities in Tirana's periphery. Kruje is located on the mountain side and overlooks the mountainous region leading into the Adriatic Sea. Many of the houses had a traditional Mediterranean style flavor in their architecture with salmon colored tiled roofs and white or walls. It was a colder than Tirana due to the altitude change. Cities like Durres could be seen from the higher part of the Kruje.

Kruje is also the location of the castle of Skenderbej, one of Albania's most influential and important historical figures. His real name is Gjergj Kastrioti (George Castrioti). He is from the Kastrioti family, which at the time was a family from a territory in northern Albania. As a child he was raised and studied with the Turks. He became a military expert and moved his way up in the ranks until he eventually became a commander, otherwise known as a bey. Eventually he abandoned the Turks and returned to his home in Albania. He rallied many of the Northern tribes of Albania to defend against the Ottomans. They never defeated Skenderbej for the duration of his life. His military genius kept the Ottomans from flooding into Europe, and the Pope named him defender of Christianity.

Skenderbej was more than just a military genius. He was also a statesman and a successful in foreign affairs. He, with his diplomats, secured good relations with kingdoms all the way from Skandenavia to the edge of the Iberian Peninsula. He is a key figure in the role of leadership in Albania. He demonstrated skills of a successful leader in bringing people together and overcoming obstacles.