Hi guys, hope you are well.
This time I would like to introduce you to the Smederevo fortress. I’ll be very short regarding basic info that you can find on the web. The Smederevo Fortress is a medieval fortified city in Smederevo, Serbia, which was the temporary capital of Serbia in the Middle Ages. It was built between 1427 and 1430 on the order of Despot Đurađ Branković, the ruler of the Serbian Despotate. It was further fortified by the Ottoman Empire, which had taken the city in 1459.
I'll focus this time on very interesting legends and stories about the construction of this fortress, which you can only hear from locals and local guides.
Irene (later in Serbia Jerina) Kantakuzin, a Greek princess who became a Serbian ruler by marrying the Đurađ Branković, as a foreigner, became hated by the people. Even today she is known as the Cursed Jerina. Many legends are connected to Jerina as a ruthless ruler.
As per the legend, she seized all eggs from the people and use them to build the fortress (in lack of building material). This caused great starvation in the city and people’s anger. She also cut off heads from those who refused to give her eggs and also built them into the tower.
The rumours say her sexual desire was enormous. Jerina became the personification of a hyper erotic woman who sexually abused young workers in her rooms during the night.
One of the greatest is the legend about the treasure of the Jerina that is hidden somewhere in the lagoons below the fort. The lagoons full of gold hidden before the invasion of the Turks, which treasure hunters have been trying to find for centuries, remain a living tradition.
We do not have a historical proof for these legends. The truth is that she was a smart, educated woman with political influence and very different from a typical medieval woman. Also, for every fall of monarchy people try to find a responsible person and this time Jerina was a perfect choice since she had a different cultural background.
Archaeological excavations of the fortress are considerably expensive, and the most of fortress has not been explored, but what we know is that the family of Branković was one of the richest in this part of the world and Serbian history. It is not surprising that many believe that their treasure is still in the city. For now, only a pair of golden earrings were found a couple of years ago, as well as one earring with emerald pearls and rubies half a century ago. It is priceless and kept in the museum.
If you ever have the opportunity to visit the fortress, you may become a millionaire, you never know! 😊
Now seriously, if you are likely to visit the fortress, you should do it in the summer!
During the summer, numerous manifestations and parties are organized here, which turn the historic and ancient elegance of the fortress into unforgettable events.
Once you are here don’t miss a glass of famous Smederevka, a glass of quality wine from this area.
Cheers, and enjoy in photos!
[//]:# (!pinmapple 44.671141 lat 20.929111 long If you want to find out some interesting story tales about Serbian medieval fortress, you are on the right place! d3scr)