Serbian Despotate

The Serbian Despotate was a medieval Balkan state that existed from 1402 to 1459, centered in present-day Serbia. It was established after the fall of the Serbian Empire and was governed by a despot, a noble title under the Ottoman Empire. Despite Ottoman domination, the Despotate maintained some political and cultural independence, serving as a local Serbian ruler’s domain. It played a crucial role in preserving Serbian identity, orthodox Christian traditions, and resisting Ottoman advances until it eventually fell to the Ottomans in 1459.