Duchy of Saint Sava: Map & History
The Duchy of Saint Sava was a late medieval polity in southeastern Europe, that existed from 1448 up to 1482, when it was absorbed by the Ottoman Empire.
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The Duchy of Saint Sava was a late medieval polity in southeastern Europe, that existed from 1448 up to 1482, when it was absorbed by the Ottoman Empire. It was founded and controlled by the Kosača noble family, whose rulers held the title Duke of Saint Sava. Their domains included southern parts of modern-day Bosnia and Herzegovina, extending to southern parts of modern-day coastal Croatia, northwestern Montenegro and southwestern Serbia. Its founder, Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, titled himself Herceg of Saint Sava, a title which would later give rise to the new name to the region: Herzegovina, and will be also used by the Ottomans as Hersek Sancağı, designating the Sanjak of Herzegovina.
Modern Countries Once Part of Duchy of Saint Sava
At its mapped extent, Duchy of Saint Sava covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Duchy of Saint Sava's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Duchy of Saint Sava in Depth
History
Until the 14th century, most regions of the later Duchy of Saint Sava were part of medieval Serbia, and then became part of the medieval Bosnia. By the beginning of the 15th century, the Kosača noble family gained prominence and power in those southeastern parts of the Kingdom of Bosnia. Since 1435, the family was headed by Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, a mighty feudal lord and veliki vojvoda of Bosnia, whose relations with Bosnian kings became turbulent, due to his high ambitions. On 15 February 1444, Stjepan signed a treaty with Alfonso V of Aragon, who was also the King of Naples, becoming his vassal in exchange for the king's help against Stjepan's main enemies, namely King Stephen Thomas of Bosnia, and the Republic of Venice.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Duchy of Saint Sava (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Duchy of Saint Sava Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 2,778 km² in 1471 CE.
Duchy of Saint Sava: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Duchy of Saint Sava exist?
Duchy of Saint Sava is dated to 1453 CE – 1474 CE, in the Early Modern & Age of Discovery era.
What was the capital of Duchy of Saint Sava?
The capital of Duchy of Saint Sava was Blagaj.
How large was Duchy of Saint Sava at its peak?
At its peak in 1471 AD Duchy of Saint Sava covered about 2,778 km².
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