Zaharia Gropa (Albanian: Zaharia Gropaj), also known as Zacharia was an Albanian nobleman and member of the Gropa family who historically ruled over parts of modern-day Albania and North Macedonia. He was a military commander who served in the forces of Skanderbeg during Skanderbeg's rebellion.[1] He was also an associate of Moisi Dibra.[2]
| Zaharia Gropa Zaharia Gropaj | |
|---|---|
| Prince of Pogradec | |
 Modern bust of Zaharia Gropa found in the Castle of Krujë | |
| Prince of Pogradec | |
| Reign | 1444-1456 |
| Predecessor | Aidin Gropa |
| Successor | Post Abolished. |
| Dynasty | Gropa |
| Occupation | Military commander during the League of Lezhë |
Biography
editZaharia's dynasty, Gropa ruled over the areas of modern-day Pogradec and Ohrid (Albanian: Ohëri) and took titles such as Gospodar and Župan within the Serbian Empire.[citation needed]
Not much is known about him. In 1444 Zaharia joined the League of Lezhë against the Ottoman Empire. He became a military commander.[3] Zaharia took part in the “Battle of Tumenisht”[1] and he died in 1456-1457. A modern bust of him can be found in the Castle of Kruja, Krujë, Albania in his remembrance and was the last official ruler and heir of the Gropa dynasty.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b "1956 | Ekrem Bey Vlora: The Ruling Families of Albania in the pre-Ottoman Period". 2012-01-27. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 2024-11-30.
- ^ Vlora 1956, 5. Gropa Archived 2012-01-27 at the Wayback Machine: "The sphere of influence of the Gropas was no doubt concentrated in the region between Pogradec, Ohrid and Dibra. They seem to have ruled in that area for more than 3 centuries"
- ^ Gegaj, Athanase (1937). L'Albanie et l'invasion turque au XVe siècle (in French). Bureaux du Recueil, Bibliothèque de l'Universite. ISBN 978-0-598-93599-1.