The monument of friar Luka Ibrišimović

Place: Požega

Photo: Destinacije.com

Description:

In 1688, on the day of St. George, franciscan Luka Ibrišimović led the citizens of Požega into victory in a battle against militarily superior Ottoman army led by Bršljanović aga. Ottomans were defeated then and expelled from Slavonia. In memory of this battle, every year on the day of St. George, numerous festivities take place in the city of Požega and in the surrounding vinyards, where cheers and mortar shots commemorate the historic event. Recently founded “Sv. Grgur” (St. George) society helps organize and enrich the commemorations. In 1893, citizens of Požega have erected a monument to friar Luka Ibrišimović opposite the St. Theresa cathedral. The victory earned friar Luka Ibrišimović a place in folk legends, emperor Leopold nicknamed him “Sokol” (Falcon) and the hill that was the battlefield was named Sokolovac – after friar Luka Ibrišimović.

This is what the history and the folk legends say about the famed victory: “Soon after the February 1688. snow has waned, a large Turkish army took camps on the hills skirting Požega, the city they were expelled from last year (in October 1687) by the citizens led by friar Luka. Upon hearing that the Ottomans are close to the city, three thousand of them, Luka had devised a defence. Since he was experienced in fighting the Ottomans, he had decided that the siege would be the worst tactic for the defenders, and led the surprise attack on the Ottoman troops instead. He had gathered a company of daring citizens and waited for the right moment as a poet has described:

“Once Sokol gathered his troop
Great troop of great heros,
He spoke and told his troop:
My children, my falcons,
Tomorrow, we’ll strike in the hills
And strike at Turks fiercely
While the Turks are not ready,
Not ready for battle unruly”

At the crack of dawn on the day of St. George, while darkness and fog still shrouded the hill where the Ottoman troops made camp, a company of brave citizens led by heavy-mustached friar was closing in. A fierce battle ensued. Luka made his way with his sabre through rows of janissaries to the aga’s tent:

“Many an aga and noblemen died
and janissary beyond count.”

After the victory, Luka made a victory speech to his heros, did his military duty and as the poem says:

“That he speaks and changes robes,
He takes off his battle attire,
And dresses his mass vestments,
To thank Gold and Mary,
That this land is free from Turks”