Albanian national hero Skanderbeg died in Lezhë in 1468. His grave is located in a mausoleum (Mauzoleu i Skënderbeut) built by the Communist regime in 1981. The sturdy structure replaced the absent roof of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, which became the commander’s final resting place.
Skanderbeg’s bronze bust, an Albanian double-headed eagle mosaic, and a duplicate of the ruler’s sword and helmet (the originals are in Vienna) may all be found inside the mausoleum. Shields picturing the national hero’s fights against the Ottomans are displayed on the walls. A 15-century fresco’s fragments are also present.
The mausoleum is open every day except Monday 9:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00. Most of the visitors to the site are on school trips from Albania, Kosovo and other countries inhabited by Albanians.
There are remnants of the Roman and Illyrian fortifications that formerly encircled the entire city in the park next to the mausoleum. Additionally, a monument honours the League of Lezhë, the alliance that Skanderbeg established to repel the Turks.
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