Slovenian History Quest

The head of a Turk

The head of a Turk

In addition to manufacturing contemporary Art Nouveau-style furnaces, this renowned stove-making workshop from Ljubljana also manufactured other items, including earthenware Ottoman heads. These were used at the 300-year anniversary of victory in the Battle of Sisak, which took place in 1593. Participants staged the battle by carrying earthenware model heads on sticks, throwing them on the ground in order to break them. Hence, most heads would come to a sad end, much like the Turks upon their defeat. The Battle of Sisak brought about an important victory of the Christian forces over the Ottoman army led by Hasan Pasha. The National Museum of Slovenia keeps his coat, which was remade into a liturgical vestment.