Hadji Alia

Hadji Alia or Haxhi Alia
Born	c. 1569 Calabria
Died	1625 Karaburun
Piratical career
Nickname	Haxhi Aliu Ulqinaku
Type	Pirate
Allegiance	None
Years active	1589–1625
Rank	Captain
Base of operations	Adriatic Sea

Hadji Alia or Haxhi Aliu Ulqinaku (c. 1569–1625) was an Albanian pirate lord from Ulcinj, originating from Calabria.^[1][2]

Background and career

He was known as one of the most legendary pirates of the Mediterranean Sea.^[3] Between the years of 1587 to 1593, he finished his military education in the Ottoman Empire. He continued to study in Istanbul from 1594 to 1597. Later he served the Ottoman fleet^[4] and between 1609 and 1624 he moved to live with his two sons and other Albanian sailors in the Karaburun Peninsula.^[5] During his sailing, he fought the French and Venetian fleets who seemed to control the Mediterranean.^[6] Haxhi Ali cooperated with many captains against foreign pirate attacks. The forests of Karaburun supplied Ali Hoxha with materials needed for the sea faring. According to folklore, Haxhi Alia roamed the coasts of Northern Africa and Misir of Spain.

Cave of Haxhi Ali near Vlorë, Albania

In the summer of 1623, outside of Otranto, Haxhi Alia collided with the ships of Venice and England. They aimed to wipe out all the pirates from the Mediterranean. Though they outnumbered him with powerful ships, Alia resisted and they could not break it or capture him. These battles made Alia a legend in Ulcinj and Tivar and he helped poor peasants financially so they could marry their daughters making him very popular. In the summer of 1625, Alis shepherds had gone out in the mountains and Karaburun was left empty with Alia was out in the seas. When he returned he encountered several ships which attacked him. Alia broke through the siege and docked his ship. The battle continued on land where Alia was killed on the Frëngu Peak (Albanian: Maja e Frëngut). When the shepherds returned, they mourned Alias death. Local peasants in the village sang heroic songs. There is also a cave of Haxhi Alia.^[7]

See also

• Albanian piracy

References

1. Neki Lameborshi (Oficer Marine), Radhime VLORE. "N.Lameborshi: HAXHI ALIA – DETAR I SHQUAR ULQINAK". Ul-info (in Albanian).
2. Fielding Edwards, Lovett (1954). Introducing Yugoslavia (Volym 18 av Human relations area files: Yugoslavia ed.). University of Michigan: Methuen. p. 131.
3. "Haxhi Aliu, "Dallga rebele" e Mesdheut". Dita.
4. "ALIU DHE MISTERI I 40 TONËVE AR: Ku fshihet thesari i madh i Pashait të Janinës?!". KOHA (in Albanian). 2 August 2017.
5. "Historia e piratit më të famshëm shqiptar". KOHA.net (2016).
6. Elazığ, Turkey, 15–19 September 2010 Fırat University. "Fırat University - Unesco Tr – Jemirko. 1st INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION SYMPOSIUM and SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE COUNTRIES ProGEO GROUP MEETING" (PDF). Fırat University.
7. "A trip through history". 14 November 2016.