Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu

Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu (known as Skanderbeg, Turkish İskender Bey, meaning "Lord or Leader Alexander"), is one of the most prominent historical figures in the history of Albania and is the national hero of the Albanians.

Born in Krujë, Albania, in 1405, Skanderbeg was a descendant of the Kastrioti family of Albanian origin. Skanderbeg's father was Gjon, lord of Middle Albania that included Mat, Krujë, Mirditë and Dibër. His mother Vojsava was from the Tribalda family.Gjiergi Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken by the Sultan to his court as hostages. After his conversion to Islam, he attended military school in Edirne and led many battles for the Ottoman Empire to victory. For his military victories, he received the title Arnavutlu İskender Bey (Albanian: Skenderbe Shqiptari) (English: Lord Alexander, the Albanian) comparing Kastrioti's military brilliance to that of Alexander the Great and the Sultan appointed him General.

On November 28, 1443, Skanderbeg saw his opportunity to rebel during a battle against the Hungarians. He switched sides along with 300 other Albanians serving in the Ottoman army. After a long trek to Albania he eventually captured Krujë by forging a letter from the Sultan to the Governor of Krujë, which granted him control of the territory. After capturing the castle, Skanderbeg abjured the Prophet and the Sultan, and proclaimed himself the avenger of his family and country. He raised his standard (that later became the Albanian flag) above the castle and reportedly pronounced:

"It wasn't me who brought you freedom, I found it here, among you."

Following the capture of Krujë, Skanderbeg managed to bring together all the Albanian princes in the town of Lezhë. With this support, Skanderbeg built fortresses and organized a mobile defense force that forced the Ottomans to disperse their troops, leaving them vulnerable to the hit-and-run tactics of the Albanians. Skanderbeg fought a guerrilla war against the opposing armies by using the mountainous terrain to his advantage. Skanderbeg continued his resistance against the Ottoman forces until his death. He successfully ousted the Ottoman Turks from his native land for over two decades. Scanderbeg died 1468, in Lezha, Albania. The Albanian resistance went on after the death of Skanderbeg for an additional ten years under the leadership of Dukagjini, though with only moderate success and no great victories.

The Ottoman Empire's expansion was ground to a halt during the timeframe in which Skanderbeg and his Albanian forces resisted. He has been credited with being the main reason for delaying Ottoman expansion into Western Europe, giving Vienna time to better prepare for the Ottoman arrival.

"When the Ottomans found the grave of Skanderbeg in Saint Nicholas, a church in Lezhë, they opened it and made amulets of his bones, that these would confer bravery on the wearer, believing that these would confer bravery on the wearer. Skanderbeg today is the national hero of Albania, a source of national pride. Many museums and monuments, such as the Skanderbeg Museum next to the castle in Krujë, have been raised in his honor around Albania and in predominantly Albanian-populated Kosovo. Skanderbeg's struggle against the Ottoman Empire became highly significant to the Albanian people, as it strengthened their solidarity, made them more conscious of their national identity, and served later as a great source of inspiration in their struggle for national unity, freedom, and independence."