Starina Novak ( Baba Novac)

I still remember the stories my grandfather used to read to me — tales of epic battles and legendary heroes. Among the first I ever heard was that of Starina Novak, or as he is known in Romania, Baba Novac.

Starina Novak (circa 1530–1601) was one of the most famous hajduks or rebel freedom fighters who rose against Ottoman occupation in the Balkans. Born near the area of Poreč (today eastern Serbia), he spent much of his life as a guerilla warrior, leading small bands of fighters in daring raids across Ottoman held territories. His unmatched bravery, sharp tactics, and fierce independence earned him both respect and fear.

In his later years, Novak became an ally of Michael the Brave (Mihai Viteazul), the ruler of Wallachia, and fought side by side with the Romanian armies in campaigns against the Ottomans and Habsburgs. His service and valor made him a symbol of unity and friendship between the Serbian and Romanian peoples, both of whom regard him as a hero of their shared past.

Captured during the turbulent conflicts of 1601, Starina Novak met a tragic and brutal end — he was executed by being burned alive in Cluj (Transylvania). Yet his legacy endured through centuries of songs, stories, and epic poems that celebrated his defiance and indomitable spirit.

This particular model was created in 2023, as part of a planned series portraying famed Balkan heroes of old. Unfortunately, I stopped the project with Novak,but his presence alone feels like a monument to the entire idea.