The battle of Albulena was one of the most important in the struggle of the Balkan peoples against the Turks, which unfortunately was left without a counterattack. Georgios Kastriotis fought the Ottomans for years. However, in 1457 he had been under a lot of pressure and had been abandoned even by his general and nephew Hamtzas Kastriotis.
At the end of May 1457 a strong Turkish army commanded by Izak Evrenos bey and Hamtza Kastriotis. The Turkish army, depending on the sources, numbered between 50 and 80,000 men and was tasked with definitively crushing any resistance of Kastriotis who could not marshal more than 10,000 men – other sources speak of 7-8,000 men. strong>
The Ottoman army advanced from today's Skopje moving in several phalanxes. Kastriotis also divided his army into corresponding divisions in an attempt to delay the enemies, taking advantage of the terrain and the forests of the area.
But then he retreated and "disappeared". The Turkish army moved hesitantly looking for its "invisible" opponent and slaughtering and looting at the same time, according to the custom of its warriors. Kastriotis and his men remained safe in the mountains throughout July and August. He even let rumors circulate that his men had deserted him and that he himself had fled to the Venetians.
All this was part of the deception plan applied by Kastriotis as he was unable to face the huge Turkish army in a line-based battle. The Turks meanwhile encamped in the region of Albulena, confident that they had neutralized their dangerous opponent.
Supply
But Kastriotis was keeping vigil. On September 2, 1457 he approached the Turkish camp. With his guards he neutralized a Turkish guard. But one Turk survived and gave the alarm signal to the camp. Kastriotis had no choice but to order an immediate attack on the Turkish camp.
And indeed he did, ordering his men to make as much noise as possible. The Turks did not have time to react. Taken by surprise, they believed they were being attacked by much stronger forces. In vain Evrenos and Hamza tried to regroup their men.
Pressed on, the panic-stricken Turks retreated to the middle of their camp, pursued by Kastriotis' light cavalry. Soon the Turkish army had turned into a mass unable to maneuver. All that was left for the Turks was to flee in disorder, as they did. Evrenos managed to escape. But the traitor Hamza was captured by his uncle but did not suffer what he deserved.
The losses of the Turks were nevertheless terrifying. Some sources speak of 30,000 dead, most of them as a result of the panic. Others report 15,000 dead. Many thousands of Turks were also captured. 24 Turkish flags and a lot of booty were also captured. The losses of Kastriotis' army are not known, but based on the way the battle unfolded they must not have been particularly serious.