Battle of Saint Gotthard
On the Rába River at Szentgotthárd, Vas County, Hungary, near the Austrian border
What happened
An Imperial army under Raimondo Montecuccoli, with French and German allies, fought the Ottoman army of Grand Vizier Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha. The Ottoman army was advancing toward Austria and began crossing the Rába River near the old Cistercian monastery of Saint Gotthard. At first it pushed the Austrians back. Montecuccoli then persuaded his allies to attack together, and their surprise attack drove the Ottomans back across the river.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It stopped the Ottoman advance into Austria. But the peace signed soon afterwards was seen by many as too generous to the Ottomans, which angered Hungarian nobles.
What came next
Ten days later the Peace of Vasvár set a twenty-year truce. The war resumed in 1683, when the Ottomans besieged Vienna.
Did you know?
The town of Szentgotthárd grew up around a Cistercian abbey founded in 1183, which gave it its name.
Timeline
- 1183The Cistercian abbey of Szentgotthárd is founded.
- 1 August 1664The Imperial army wins at Saint Gotthard.
- 10 August 1664The Peace of Vasvár is signed.
- 1683The Ottomans besiege Vienna.