Battle of Preveza
Near Preveza, Ionian Sea
What happened
The Ottoman grand admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa fought the fleet of the Holy League, an alliance of Venice, Spain, the Pope and the Knights Hospitaller led by the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria. Barbarossa had captured Venetian islands and raided Spanish-held lands in Italy, so Pope Paul III gathered an alliance to stop him. Near Preveza on the Gulf of Arta, strong winds kept Doria's sailing ships from closing in, and the Holy League withdrew.
Why it matters
Result: Ottoman victory. Leaders: Hayreddin Pasha / Sinan Reis against Andrea Doria / Marco Grimani. Why it matters: It was an Ottoman naval victory that helped secure Ottoman strength in the Mediterranean.
What came next
In 1540 Venice made peace with the Ottomans and paid 300,000 ducats in gold in war compensation. Barbarossa died in 1546.
Did you know?
Barbarossa began his naval career as a corsair under his elder brother Oruç Reis.
Timeline
- 1533 CESuleiman appoints Barbarossa grand admiral of the Ottoman navy.
- 28 September 1538 CEBarbarossa's fleet defeats the Holy League at Preveza.
- 1540 CEVenice makes peace with the Ottomans.
- 4 July 1546 CEBarbarossa dies.