Introduction
Helena Thopia (fl. 1388–1403) was an Albanian princess of the Thopia family who held the Krujë region as sovereign lady for two terms; 1388-1392 and 1394-1403.
Life
She was married to Marco Barbarigo, a Venetian nobleman. After the death of her father, Karl Topia, in 1388, she inherited the castle of Krujë and the surrounding region. In 1392 as a result of the hostilities between her husband and the Venetian forces, her cousin, Niketa Thopia, a Venice loyal, attacked the city of Krujë and forced them to find refuge among the Balšić family.
In 1394 Konstantin Balšić, who was appointed by the Ottomans to govern Krujë, married her. Konstantin ruled as an Ottoman vassal and was killed in 1402. In 1403 Niketa Thopia captured the castle from Helena. After Konstantin's death Helena and their son Stefan first went to Venice and then lived with her sister Maria.
Issue
She married Marco Barbarigo, and then Konstantin Balšić in 1394. She had a son with Konstantin, Stefan Maramonte.