Skobaljić town on Kukavica

Skobaljićgrad is located 20 kilometers southeast of Leskovac. Erected on the steep and inaccessible cliff of the mountain Kukavica on the left bank of the canyon of the river Vučjanka, hidden by the neighboring slopes and ridges, it was visible only from a short distance. Near the town is a spring, dense forests and mountain pastures. It is located in a strategic position, as an excellent observation post towards the Leskovac valley, on the old road to Vranje and Novo Brdo. Skobaljićgrad is a multi-layered site from prehistory to the Middle Ages, from around 2000 BC to the 15th century, when life in Skobaljić grad was extinguished by the arrival of the Turks, who destroyed it as an important stronghold on the north-south highway. The oldest traces of life in the city date back to the Eneolithic (Bronze Age) from around 2000 BC. Due to its strategically important position, the fortification was used in the Roman period, and in the late antiquity and in the period from the 10th to the 13th century as a fortified refuge. The youngest fortification, whose remains of the walls of the ramparts and towers can still be seen, dates from the 15th century, from the time of Nikola Skobaljić. The city consists of the Upper and Lower City, and the suburbs that extend on the north and east sides. It covers an area of two hectares. The most powerful ramparts are in the west, and there is a defensive moat in the north. The upper town is square in shape with about 400 square meters and has two towers placed diagonally. The smaller tower is located next to the gate that leads to the Lower Town, and the larger - Donjon Tower is located in the northwestern part and its walls are preserved to the height of the ground floor. The city was rebuilt after the restoration of the Despotate in 1444. As the use of firearms prevailed in the middle of the 15th century, the old fortifications were adapted to the new conditions of warfare. With the renovation, the city was turned into a modern fortress of that time. An important novelty in the town of Skobaljić is the tower next to the entrance to the small town, because it is about two meters high. She points to the adaptation of the city for artillery action. The lower town with a suburb of 1400 square meters extends east of the Upper town and follows the configuration of the terrain. The basic function of Skobaljićgrad was defensive. The population consisted of military crews, although there were also craftsmen whose jobs were closely related to military needs and the repair of city walls. A civilian settlement was formed next to the fortress - a suburb whose function was related to the defense of the city. The town of Skobaljic had a strong and well-equipped military crew armed for attack and personal protection, but also for the defense of the fortifications. This is evidenced by the findings of various weapons and warrior equipment. Finds of arrowheads and spears show that this type of weapon is a basic type of weapon. Iron and stone projectiles (jules) testify to the good defense of the Skobalj fortress, which indicates the use of firearms. Nikola Skobaljić is a historical figure and was the lord of the despot ĐurđeBranković. He is mentioned by Konstantin Mihailović from Ostrovica and the Sečeničkiletopis in connection with the two battles he fought in September and November 1454. The first battle took place "in Banja" and then Skobaljić defeated the Turkish army and killed many, even the "famous Turkish gentleman". The second battle, in which the emperor himself led the Turkish army, was fought near the water (or mountain) of Trepanj. Then Nikola Skobaljić was defeated and impaled alive. Tradition links this city to Duke Nikola Skobaljić, a great hero who fought against the Turks. According to the legend, he was not born, nor did he suffer like other, ordinary people. He was born to a girl from the village of Vine, who conceived him by eating live scallop fish. The Turks could not defeat him, but he was killed by his godmother, they did not catch him alive, but he flew away on his horse. In addition to the town on the hill above Vučje, which bears his name, it is believed that he built a church in the valley of the river Vučjanka, on the ruins of which in the 1930s a new church dedicated to St. John. The locality Skobaljićgrad was declared a cultural asset by the decision of the Municipal Assembly of Leskovac in 1986.