Siege of Szigetvár
Szigetvár, Baranya County, Hungary
What happened
A Croatian-Hungarian garrison under Nikola IV Zrinski defended the fortress against the Ottoman army of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, led in practice by Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha. Suleiman marched on Hungary, aiming toward Vienna, and stopped to besiege the fortress of Szigetvár. Zrinski's garrison of about 2,300 men held out for more than a month against a much larger army. Suleiman died in his tent during the siege, and Zrinski fell leading a final charge as the fortress fell.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The long defence cost the Ottomans the time they needed to march on Vienna that year. Zrinski became a hero in both Croatia and Hungary.
What came next
Zrinski's great-grandson wrote a famous Hungarian epic poem about the siege in 1651. Since 1994 a Hungarian-Turkish Friendship Park at Szigetvár has remembered both leaders.
Did you know?
Suleiman's death was kept secret for 48 days so that his soldiers would not lose heart.
Timeline
- 6 August 1566The Ottoman siege of Szigetvár begins.
- 6 September 1566Sultan Suleiman dies in his camp.
- 7-8 September 1566Zrinski's final charge; the fortress falls.
- 1651The epic poem 'The Peril of Sziget' is published.
- 1994The Hungarian-Turkish Friendship Park is founded.