From this place we continued our journey to Catschamch, a strong fortress that commands the narrow passage between the surrounding hills. Its position makes it very important, as it controls the main route through this part of the country. After passing the fortress, we advanced further and soon entered the famous Plains of Kosovo, which were then considered part of Bulgaria by some writers.
These plains are not very large and may be compared in size to Hounslow Heath, yet they are famous as the stage of great historical events. Though modest in appearance, they have witnessed battles that shaped the fate of entire nations Mosques and Religious Buildings.
The Great Battle of Kosovo
It was upon these plains that the greatest Christian army ever assembled in Europe was said to have gathered. According to tradition, this army consisted of five hundred thousand men, led by Lazarus, Despot of Serbia. Here they fought against the forces of Amurath the First, the Ottoman Sultan.
The battle ended in disaster for the Christian forces. Lazarus was slain, and his army was defeated. Yet the victory of the Ottomans came at a terrible cost. While Amurath was inspecting the bodies of the dead, he was suddenly stabbed by a Christian soldier named Miloš Obilić, who had been left for dead on the battlefield. Amurath died of his wounds, and to this day there stands a memorial monument on the plains marking his burial place. That area is still known as the Field of the Sepulchre.
Later Battles on the Same Plains
These plains also witnessed another famous battle many years later, fought between John Hunyadi and Sultan Mehmed. The fighting lasted three days, and although Hunyadi showed great courage, his forces were far fewer in number. In the end, he was defeated, adding another tragic chapter to the long history of Kosovo Tour Guides Ephesus.
Arrival at Pristina and Fear of the Plague
From Kosovo we continued to Pristina, a good-sized town where we expected comfortable lodging. However, upon entering a room prepared for us, we found a man lying there sick with the plague. Concerned for our safety, we did not remain long and quickly departed.
We gave a small payment to our guide and traveled onward through a country that was thinly inhabited but fertile and pleasant. Along the road we were refreshed by cornelian cherries, which grew abundantly by the wayside.
Baths, Churches, and Sacred Places
On our right hand we passed an hot bath, built inside an arched stone chamber. It was well constructed and very refreshing for travelers. The water leaves a reddish sediment and contains minerals that slowly turn into stone, forming a gray rock.
Within two hours’ journey we reached Bellacherqua (also called Curšumlija), where I observed a convent and an old church with two fine towers. After crossing the Hill of Jashebatza, we came to Eshlleck, situated between the two Morava rivers.
Nearby stood a castle on a hill, and close to it a well-known convent. In this convent are kept the body of Prince Lazarus and the relics of Saint Romanos, making it an important place of pilgrimage and reverence.
Closing Remark
From this sacred region we continued our journey onward. However, before ending this account, I must not forget to speak further of Larissa, a place of great importance, which deserves a separate and fuller description.
