Modrič, Struga

Modrič (Macedonian: Модрич) is a village in Struga Municipality, in North Macedonia.^[1] There was a fortress on the hill Gradište, east of the current position of the village.^[2]

Modrič Модрич
Village
Modrič
Coordinates: 41°21′59″N 20°34′23″E
Country	North Macedonia
Region	Southwestern
Municipality	Struga
Population
• Total	25

Ottoman period

Modrič fortress which was located in this village had a great importance during Ottoman rule because of its strategic position on the left bank of the river Black Drim, next to the road between Ohrid and Debar. On the other side of the road was Kodžadžik (then Svetigrad).^[3] At the beginning of the Ottoman rule Modrič was probably a little more important than Kožadžik.^[4] In November 1443 Skanderbeg revolted against the sultan and this fortress became one of Skanderbeg's strongholds. It was also mentioned in the works of Marin Barleti.^[5]

In 1448, Sultan Murad II besieged the fortress of Svetigrad. The first battle between Skanderbeg's and Ottoman forces during the Siege of Svetigrad (Kodžadžik) in 1448 was held at Modrič fortress.^[6]

In 1452, Ottoman forces from Ohrid attacked Skanderbeg's rebels but were defeated at Modrič where Hamza Kastrioti led Skanderbeg's rebels and Ottoman commander Hamza Pasha, his namesake.^[7][8]

According to Pollo and Puto, in 1456 Skanderbeg's nephew George Strez Balšić, who governed the fortress of Modrič, sold it to Ottomans.^[9] In 1467 this village was recorded in the Ottoman register as a timar of one Sinan who was a dizdar (castellan) of Modrič fortress. The fortress was probably destroyed to such extent that it was without garrison while its reconstruction was either impossible or unnecessary.^[10]

In 1914, the village became part of the Principality of Albania.

Demography

At around 1467, Modrič fortress was registered as part of the Ottoman nahiyah Dolgo Brdo (Golo Brdo) and had only 7 households.^[11] According to the 2002 census all 25 inhabitants of Modrič declared as Macedonians.^[12] Berziti from Kičevo referred to people from Modrič and other surrounding villages (Lukovo, Jablanica...) as Keckars (Macedonian: Кецкари).^[13]

References

1. Metodija Sokoloski; Aleksandar Stojanovski (2000). Turski dokumenti za istorijata na makedonskiot narod: kn. 1-2. Opširen popisen defter na ohridskiot sandžak od 1583 godina. Arhiv na Makedonija. Retrieved 6 April 2013. Модрич - село северозападно од Струга
2. Aleksandar Stojanovski (1974). Dervendzistvoto vo Makedonija. Institut za nacionalna istorija. p. 244.
3. Aleksandar Stojanovski (1989). Makedonija vo turskoto srednovekovie: (od krajot na XIV-početokot na XVIII v.). Kultura. p. 411.
4. Aleksandar Stojanovski (1989). Makedonija vo turskoto srednovekovie: (od krajot na XIV-početokot na XVIII v.). Kultura. p. 412. Сето тоа укажува на можноста дека во овој период Модрич по својата функција бил помалку значаен од Коџа- џик.
5. Glasnik na Institutot za nacionalna istorija. Institut. 1977. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
6. Aleksandar Stojanovski (1988). Istorija na makedonskiot narod. Makedonska kniga. p. 88. До прва голема битка помеѓу двете противнички вој- ски дошло кај тврдината Модрич.
7. Kosta Balabanov; Krste Bitoski (1978). Ohrid i Ohridsko niz istorijata. Opštinsko sobranie na grad Ohrid. p. 62. Во летото 1452 година, од насока на Охрид, против востаниците тргнал Хамза-наша, но кај Модрич бил победен
8. Matkovski, Aleksandar (1983). Otporot vo Makedonija vo vremeto na turskoto vladeenje: Buni i vostanija. Misla. p. 88. Внукот на Скендер-бег, Хамза, успеал да го зароби тур- скиот војсководец со истото име Хамза-паша.
9. Stefanaq Pollo; Arben Puto; Kristo Frashëri; Skënder Anamali (1974). Histoire de l'Albanie, des origines à nos jours. Horvath. p. 93. ISBN 978-2-7171-0025-9. Un autre chef albanais, Georges Stres Balsha, neveu de Skanderbeg, lui aussi mécontent de la politique de son oncle, livra traîtreusement aux Turcs la citadelle frontière de Modrica.
10. Aleksandar Stojanovski (2006). Македонија под турската власт: статии и други прилози. Ин-т за национална историја. p. 122. ... и Модрич (во Голо Брдо). Последново село во времето на пописот од 1467 година било тимар на Синан, диздар на тврдината Модрич.
11. Istorija. Sojuz. 1972. p. 113.
12. "Census of population and dwellings in Macedonia 2002" (PDF). p. 134. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
13. Jovan Cvijić (1906). Promatranja o etnografiji makedonskih Slovena. G. Kon. p. 24. кичевски Брсјаци сељаке прилепскога поља пурјацима, а кецкарима зову сељаке неких подрим- ских дебарских села (Луково, Јабланица, Модрич и др.).