Heroic Statue of Skanderbeg
Skanderbeg (1405 – 1468) is the great national hero of Albania. He allied the Albanians together and defended the region from Ottoman expansion for more than two decades (until his death from malaria—a rare end for Baltic war leaders who opposed the Ottoman Empire). It is unclear whether Skanderbeg was precisely a king—he never styled himself as anything other than “Lord of Albania”—which makes it fitting that the so-called crown of Skanderbeg is only ambiguously a crown. Some historians refer to the headdress instead as the helmet of Skanderbeg. The item in question is certainly a helmet, but it is an uncommonly magnificent and ridiculous helmet which could certainly merit status as a crown. Manufactured of white metal, the helmet features elaborate gold roses, a gold band, and is surmounted by a horned goat’s head made of bronze.
The Crown/Helmet of Skanderbeg
The crown was carried into Italy by Skanderbeg’s heir after Albania fell to the Ottomans after his death (ironically Skanderbeg’s son married one of the last descendants of the Palaiologos family—the last royal house of Byzantium) and it eventually made its way into the collection of an unrelated lord and finally into the Hapsburg royal collection. Periodically Albanian kings and aspirants have petitioned the Austrians for return of the helmet/crown (most recently King Zog unsuccessfully attempted to repatriate it in 1931). It still remains a possession of the Austrian state and is currently housed at the Neue Berg Collection of Arms and Armour in Vienna.
A Frontal View of the Crown
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June 7, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Diana
That’s probably the coolest crown I’ve ever seen. How sad the Austrians won’t return it to Albania! I guess that’s the nature of the selfish beast.
June 7, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Wayne
Agreed. I wish I knew what was behind the bold choice of a goat head as the central motif.
October 20, 2013 at 3:24 AM
Tempus
According to legend, one night during the siege of Krujë Skanderbeg sent out a herd of goats with a candle on each of the goats’ horns. The encamped Turks believed it to be an Albanian attack and made a movement against the herd. When the Turks advanced far enough Skanderbeg launched an attack against the force, destroying it. After the siege was lifted Skanderbeg commemorated his victory by designing a helmet with the head of a goat on it, as a reference to his tactics.
June 22, 2012 at 1:42 AM
Michaela Jayne
I imagine it would be incredibly uncomfortable though. Between the weight, the shape, and the awkward height that may cause it to tip right over it would not be the kind of crown I would be to interested in WEARING. . .no matter how sweet the golden goat head may look. lol
-Michaela Jayne
June 22, 2012 at 12:22 PM
Wayne
It doesn’t look as uncomfortable as some crowns (and it seems like it might provide a modicum of protection from sudden Turkish attack), but I wouldn’t wear it on summer vacation!