Treaty of Karlowitz
Karlowitz (Sremski Karlovci), Vojvodina, Serbia
What happened
The Ottoman Empire made peace with the members of the Holy League, including the Holy Roman Empire, Poland-Lithuania and Venice; Russia agreed a truce. After the Ottoman siege of Vienna failed in 1683, a long war followed, the Great Turkish War. Diplomats met at Karlowitz from November 1698 and signed a peace in January 1699. The Ottomans gave up large lands in Europe, and Poland-Lithuania got back the region of Podolia.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first time the Ottoman Empire lost large lands in Europe after centuries of growth. For the first time, border commissions marked the new frontier on the ground with landmarks.
What came next
Ottoman rule was largely limited to the lands south of the Sava River and the Balkans. Poland-Lithuania never fought the Ottomans again.
Did you know?
The town of Sremski Karlovci has a small Chapel of Peace among its landmarks.
Timeline
- 1683The Great Turkish War begins after the siege of Vienna.
- 16 November 1698Peace talks open at Karlowitz.
- 26 January 1699The Treaty of Karlowitz is signed.
- After 1699Border commissions mark the new frontier.