The Battle of Kosovo

Battle of Kosovo 1389,
sixteenth-century Russian miniature 

Today we will talk about The Battle of Kosovo (Serbian: Косовска битка) which took place on 15 June 1389 between the army led by the Serbian Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović, and the invading army of the Ottoman Empire under the command of Sultan Murad Hüdavendigâr. The army under Prince Lazar consisted of his own troops, a contingent led by Serbian nobleman Vuk Branković, and a contingent sent from Bosnia by King Tvrtko I, commanded by Vlatko Vuković. 




Prince Lazar was the ruler of Moravian Serbia, and the most powerful among the Serbian regional lords of the time, while Vuk Branković ruled District of Branković located in a part of Kosovo and other areas, recognizing Lazar as his overlord. The Battle of Kosovo took place in Kosovo Polje in Branković's Serbia, in the present-day Prishtina District of Kosovo. Its site is about 5 kilometers northwest of the modern city of Prishtina.


Reliable historical accounts of the battle are scarce. The bulk of both armies were wiped out in the battle; both Lazar and Murad lost their lives in it. Although Ottomans managed to annihilate the Serbian army, they also suffered high casualties which delayed their progress. Serbs were left with too few men to effectively defend their lands, while the Turks had many more troops in the east. Consequently, one after the other, the Serbian principalities that were not already Ottoman vassals became so in the following years.

Battle of Kosovo, by Adam Stefanović (1870)

A street you shouldn't miss

Interested in visiting Belgrade? Well if you are then this is a street you shouldn't miss...

Knez Mihailova Street or Prince Michael Street, properly Kneza Mihaila is the main pedestrian and shopping zone in Belgrade, and is protected by law as one of the oldest and most valuable landmarks of the city. Named after Mihailo Obrenović III, Prince of Serbia, it features a number of buildings and mansions built during the late 1870s.

At the beginning of Knez Mihailova stands the Vapiano restaurant, a little further you will find the Serbian Academy of Science and Art (SANU). The ground floor of SANU has been transformed into a huge exhibition space where concerts and exhibitions are held regularly. If you pay attention, you will notice a pyramid standing in front of the building. This pyramid shows the coordinates of Belgrade and celebrates science at the same time! At the very end of Knez Mihailova stands the City Library that used to be known as the Serbian Crown Hotel, the most modern hotel in Belgrade in the mid-19th century.

Besides these buildings, French, Spanish and German cultural centres, and the Zepter Museum are also located in Knez Mihailova.

In the vicinity of the street lie the National Theatre and National Museum, cinemas, and many hotels and hostels. 

Until a couple of years ago, Knez Mihailova was the main shopping zone of the city. Although now Belgradians predominantly spend most of their money in shopping malls, there is something special about shopping in Knez Mihailova. While strolling down the street you can visit famous shopping outlets such as Gap, Max Mara, Zara, Mango, Diesel, Miss Sixty, Springfield and many others.

Knez Mihailova is a common meeting point for Belgraders. The street has been named one of the most beautiful pedestrian zones in Eastern Europe and is a constant buzz of people and tourists. Thousands of people stroll along the street every day as it is the shortest path from Terazije to Kalemegdan park and fortress.

If you have nothing better to do with your time then I would wholeheartedly recommend you go and visit Knez Mihailova as you will not be disappointed by all the things you will find!

Be the part of the tradition, visit Belgrade!

The day that the Serbian flag flew over the White House

Is it true that the Serbian flag flew over the White House? 

Well let me answer that question with this proclamation...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On July 28, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson gave the following message to the American people. It was read in churches throughout the country and published in virtually all major newspapers. The Serbian flag was raised over the White House and all public buildings in the nation's capital. The message read:

To the People of the United States:

On Sunday, 28th of this present month, will occur the fourth anniversary of the day when the gallant people of Serbia, rather than submit to the studied and ignoble exactions of a prearranged foe, were called upon by the war declaration of Austria-Hungary to defend their territory and their homes against an enemy bent on their destruction. Nobly did they respond. So valiantly and courageously did they oppose the forces of a country ten times greater in population and resources that it was only after they had thrice driven the Austrians back and Germany and Bulgaria had come to the aid of Austria that they were compelled to retreat into Albania. While their territory has been devastated and their homes despoiled, the spirit of the Serbian people has not been broken. Though overwhelmed by superior forces, their love of freedom remains unabated. Brutal force has left unaffected their firm determination to sacrifice everything for liberty and independence.

It is fitting that the people of the United States, dedicated to the self-evident truth that is the right of the people of all nations, small as well as great, to live their own lives and choose their own Government, and remembering that the principles for which Serbia has so nobly fought and suffered are those for which the United States is fighting, should on the occasion of this anniversary manifest in an appropriate manner their war sympathy with this oppressed people who have so heroically resisted the aims of the Germanic nations to master the world. At the same time, we should not forget the kindred people of the Great Slavic race--the Poles, the Czechs and Jugo-Slavs, who, now dominated and oppressed by alien races yearn for independence and national unity.

This can be done in a manner no more appropriate than in our churches.

I, therefore, appeal to the people of the United States of all faiths and creeds to assemble in their several places of worship on Sunday July 28, for the purpose of giving expression to their sympathy with this subjugated people and their oppressed and dominated kindred on other lands, and to invoke the blessings of Almighty God upon them and upon the cause to which they are pledged.

Woodrow Wilson, President
The White House, July 1918

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, these brave souls fought and died for freedom. Their bravery was so great that a German general August von Mackensen said that the Serbs fought and died like heroes. Here is the article from Wikipedia about Mackensen's great deed:

During the fight for Belgrade, the troops of the Central Powers encountered a very stiff resistance, so Mackensen erected a monument to the Serbian soldiers who died defending Belgrade, saying, -HIER RUHEN SERBISCHE HELDEN- - "Here rest Serbian heroes", both in German and Serbian.

Mackensen is a figure in Serbian historiography and is greatly respected, the only enemy soldier and military leader to be so treated. He is always mentioned as an opponent who respected the Serbian soldiers and people.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This post serves as a tribute to all the of the Serbs who fought in WW1. May they rest in peace!

Reference: US Embassy in Sebia