The “Monastery Massacre” occurred as one of the most treacherous and bloodthirsty actions by the High Gate to suppress the Albanian movement for self-government. This massacre took place shortly after the assassination of Ali Pasha Tepelena, during which many feudal lords of Southern Albania rebelled in pursuit of autonomy for their country. Particularly during the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829), they successfully seized power from Ottoman officials. In light of this threatening situation for its control over Albania, the High Gate, following the peace of Edrene, tasked Prime Minister Mehmet Reshid Pasha with taking measures to eliminate the uprising’s most active leaders: Iljaz bey (Zylyftar) Podë, Asllan do Puçe, and Veli do Jaçe. Under the pretense of discussing military matters and the back payments owed to Albanian soldiers, Sadrazemi invited these leaders to Bitola. Asllan bey and Veli bey, along with nearly 1,500 beylers and their bodyguards, accepted the invitation. However, Zylyftar Poda, aware of Sadrazem’s animosity toward Albanians and his dishonesty, chose not to attend. Upon receiving the honored guests, an army exercise took place, during which, on command, one of the soldiers opened fire. Veliu, Asllani, and many others were killed; the rest were either massacred or captured. Approximately 1,000 people lost their lives in the massacre, many of whom were hanged, while another 400–500 were sentenced to life imprisonment. The Monastery Massacre sent shockwaves through Albania and beyond, simultaneously prompting other feudal lords to join the uprising led by Mehmet Pasha Bushatlli in 1831. A similar massacre, though on a smaller scale, occurred in 1830 in Ioannina. (In the photo: View of the city of Manastir, 20th century.)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 2 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 1646.
Photo: © https://www.ballikombetar.info/masakra-e-manastirit/
Graphic processing: AHCF
