Gjon Kastrioti II.

Gjon Kastrioti II ( Germanized Gjon Kastriota; Italian Giovanni Castriota; * first half of 1455; † August 2, 1514 ) was an Albanian prince and son of Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero. As a prince, he ruled only in the Kingdom of Naples, where he was Duke of Gala Tina, Earl of Soleto and Mr. Monte Sant'Angelo and San Giovanni Rotondo. In Albania, took his rule only briefly as a descendant of the Kastrioti.

Life

Gjon Kastrioti II was born the only son of the Albanian prince Scanderbeg and his wife Donika the first half of 1455. On September 25, 1463 he is awarded the Venetian patriciate, because his father Skanderbeg allied with the Republic of Venice against the Turks. In 1468 he inherited at the age of twelve years, the father, who had successfully fought for decades against the Ottomans.

Naturally, the young prince of the anti-Turkish Albanian coalition not lead, will take the helm of the troops instead of his Lekë Dukagjini. 1474 passes Gjon his principality with its capital Kruja to the Republic of Venice, because it is not a defense against the Turks in the situation. He pulls with many compatriots on the goods inherited from his father in the Kingdom of Naples.

1479 lose the Venetians Kruja and Shkodra to the Ottomans and feel forced to the conclusion of peace. The first Venetian war against the Turks goes with the complete loss of Albania ( with the exception of Durrës ) to an end.

Meanwhile, Gjon Kastrioti II become the Albanians who do not want to come to terms with the Turkish rule, for hope. As a son of the great Skanderbeg he should lead the uprising against the occupying forces. In the spring of 1481 Gjon lands with their own troops in Albania, the number of fighters multiplies rapidly by insurgents. For four years he can make on the south, Kruja in the area between the north and Vlora. But in 1484 he returned permanently to Italy.

Progeny

Gjon was married to the Serbian nobles Irena Brankovic and had with her the following children: