Order of Skanderbeg (1925–1945)

The Order of Skanderbeg (Albanian: Urdhëri i Skënderbeut) was originally instituted in 1925 as an order of merit of the Albanian Republic. It was replaced by the Communist government in 1945 with a new award of the same name. Skanderbeg is the national hero of the Albanian people.

For the award that is currently granted by the Republic of Albania, see "Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu" Decoration (1996–).
Order of Skanderbeg
Urdhëri i Skënderbeut
Grand Officer set c.1930
Awarded by Head of the House of Zogu
TypeOrder of merit
Established3 December 1925
CountryAlbania
Royal houseHouse of Zogu
CriteriaDistinguished services rendered to the Crown and achievements in every field of society
SovereignCrown Prince Leka of Albania
ClassesGrand Cross (Grand Star or Crown Star)
Grand Cross (Special Class or Grand Cordon)
Grand Cross
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight/Dame
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of Fidelity
Next (lower)Order of Bravery

Ribbon of the order

The Albanian royal family currently maintains the Order of Skanderbeg as a dynastic order, which has only been awarded to a select number of people since the fall of the monarchy in 1939. This order should not be mistaken for the award of the same name which is currently given by the head of the Republic of Albania.[1]

History

The president and later king of Albania, Ahmet Zogu, founded the order in 1925 as an order of merit with four grades. After the Italian annexation of Albania, his successor, Victor Emanuel III, King of Italy and of Albania, Emperor of Ethiopia, added a fifth grade (Officer) in 1940.

In 1945, the People's Republic of Albania decided to replace the order. In that same year, a new order with the same name was founded, along the lines of the Socialist Orders of Merit. It was awarded until the fall of Albanian Communism in 1990.[2]

The Communist version of the order was created on 13 October 1945 with three classes. The medal design included an image of Skanderbeg on a five pointed star, and the ribbons were red with 1 to 3 blue stripes according to the class of award. It was awarded to officers of the Albanian People's Army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a recognition of services to the country and the people for the organisation, modernisation and reinforcement of the armed forces.

Another honorary award bearing Skanderbeg's name, also known as the Order of Skanderbeg, has been instituted by the current Republic of Albania.

Recipients

For subsequent awards, see Order of Skanderbeg (1990–).

  • Grand Officer star c.1930.
    Grand Officer star c.1930.
  • Grand Officer set c.1930.
    Grand Officer set c.1930.
  • Badge of a Grand Officer set c.1930.
    Badge of a Grand Officer set c.1930.
  • The namesake of the order; Skanderbeg.
    The namesake of the order; Skanderbeg.
  • Grand Officer set.
    Grand Officer set.
  • Close-up of the badge and neck ribbon of a Grand Officer.
    Close-up of the badge and neck ribbon of a Grand Officer.
  • 1930s Grand Officer set.
    1930s Grand Officer set.
  • Set of the Grand Officer in a case by Cravanzola of Rome.
    Set of the Grand Officer in a case by Cravanzola of Rome.
  • Knights class with a Grand Cross star.
    Knights class with a Grand Cross star.
  • Commanders class of the order on a ladies bow.
    Commanders class of the order on a ladies bow.
  • King Zog I of Albania, the orders founder, wearing the star of the Grand Cross.
    King Zog I of Albania, the orders founder, wearing the star of the Grand Cross.
  • Commanders Class of the order.
    Commanders Class of the order.
  • Grand Cross set of insignia.
    Grand Cross set of insignia.
  • Grand Cross star. c.1935.
    Grand Cross star. c.1935.

See also

References
  1. Rrumbullaku, Filip (2010). Dekorimet nga Princ Vidi deri sot. Tiranë: Shtëpia Botuese "Onufri". p. 296. ISBN 978-99943-42-80-8.
  2. Lame, Artan (2010). Medaljet Shqiptare, Vëllimi I. Tiranë: Shtëpia Botuese "Toena". p. 176. ISBN 978-99943-1-588-8.
  3. Acović, Dragomir (2012). Slava i čast: Odlikovanja među Srbima, Srbi među odlikovanjima. Belgrade: Službeni Glasnik. p. 343.
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