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Skull Tower of Niš

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by Karak Norn Clansman, May 5, 2018.

  1. Karak Norn Clansman
    Troglodon

    Karak Norn Clansman Well-Known Member

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    This Skull Tower in Serbia was raised by Ottoman troops under general Hurshi Pasha following the crushing of a revolt in 1809, where the rebel leader Stevan Sinđelić in the face of certain defeat as enemies flooded the rebels' position, ignited his gunpowder store and blew his own forces apart rather than face impalement as a punishment for rebellion. The heads of the rebels were then collected by the victorious troops, skinned, stuffed and sent to the capital, and then sent back to Niš. All in all 952 skulls were built into the facade of a mortared tower as a monumental warning to the locals to toe the line and not challenge their distant ruler. Today only 58 skulls remain in the 4,5 m high tower, the gaping sockets remaining in their neat horizontal rows.

    Note the horizontal wooden beams, reminiscent of the strengthening horizontal brick or stone bands which occur at regular intervals in Medieval castle walls, inclduing in Constantinople's iconic Theodosian city walls.

    Sharing here in case someone gets inspired for some modelling scenery creation!

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. Lord-Marcus
    Slann

    Lord-Marcus Sixth Spawning

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    Interesting. My knowledge of ottoman history is limited to sulieman the magnificent, the war on the hospital era, and the invasion of wallachia, generally speaking
     
  3. Killer Angel
    Slann

    Killer Angel Prophet of the Stars Staff Member

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    GW should sue them.
    Skulls are a Khorne esclusive.

    But good find!
     
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  4. Lord-Marcus
    Slann

    Lord-Marcus Sixth Spawning

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    Unfortunately the French also used skulls extensively in decorations
     
  5. Warden
    Slann

    Warden Tenth Spawning

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    Dang interesting stuff, that tower must have looked especially grisly when it was in its prime :vamp:
     
  6. Aginor
    Slann

    Aginor Fifth Spawning Staff Member

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    If it wouldn't have happened in the 19th century I'd say: That's probably where quite some of the "Saint xyz's Skull from the Holy Land" relicts come from. They just went to Serbia and then called it a day, resting for some weeks and when returning to their homes claiming to have been in Jerusalem. :D

    Thanks for the interesting bit of history!
     

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