Illyria + Skanderbeg Eagle Adult T-Shirt

Gjergj Kastrioti (1405–1468), an Albanian nobleman and military commander, was a national hero who led the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman invasion. Commonly known as Skanderbeg (Albanian: Skënderbeu or Skënderbej, from Ottoman Turkish: Iskander Beg, romanized: İskender Bey; Italian: Scanderbeg).

Born on May 6, 1405, Skanderbeg was a member of the noble family Kastrioti. In 1415 he was sent as a hostage to the Ottomans and sent to Adrianople (now Edirne) he was educated there and entered the service of the Ottoman sultan for the next twenty years. In 1443, during the Battle of Niš, he deserted the Ottomans and went back to his homeland.

For 25 years, from 1443 to 1468, Skanderbeg's 10,000-man army marched through the Ottoman territory, winning against consistently larger and better-supplied Ottoman forces. He was greatly admired for this.

Skanderbeg fell ill with malaria and died on 17 January 1468, aged 62.

The Arms of Skanderbeg are iconic and symbolic to Albanians. History buffs everywhere would be able to recognize Skanderbeg’s helmet and sword including his double-headed Eagle Flag.

Skanderbeg is widely considered to be one of the most important figures in Albanian history. His life has been well-documented by a number of historians and scholars, both from Albania and other countries.

Skanderbeg's memory in museums, monuments & places (partial list):
• Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania
• Skanderbeg Square in Pristina, Kosovo
• Skanderbeg Square in Skopje, North Macedonia
• Skanderbeg Museum in Tirana, Albania next to Krujë Castle
• Skanderbeg Monument in Tirana, Albania
• Skanderbeg Military University in Tirana, Albania
• Stadiumi Skënderbeu, is a multi-purpose stadium in Korçë, Albania
• Palazzo Skanderbeg, a Roman palazzo in Rome, Italy
• Piazza Scanderbeg, Square in Rome
• Gjergj Kastrioti Statues in Labinot-Fushë, Elbasan, Albania, Burrel, Albania, Rochester Hills, Michigan USA, London United Kingdom, Geneva, Switzerland, Budapest, Hungary
• Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu Way, a street in the Bronx, New York