In 1459, the fortress of Smederevo — the last major stronghold of medieval Serbia — fell to the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II. This episode tells the story of that final collapse, tracing the desperate diplomacy, internal divisions, and crushing military pressure that ended the Serbian Despotate. We meet the last rulers, including the despot Lazar Branković and his widow Helena Palaiologina, and the opportunistic nobleman Stefan Branković. We examine the controversial decision to hand the fortress to the Hungarians, the siege itself, and the aftermath — the flight of refugees, the fate of the Branković family, and the long centuries of Ottoman rule that followed. Through the lens of Smederevo, we explore how a proud medieval kingdom met its end, and why its memory still resonates in Serbian identity today. Joining us is Lucas, who guides us through the final days of the Despotate, with Luna asking the questions that bring this tragic story to life.
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Fexingo. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Fexingo och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
