1571 AD
Battle of Lepanto
A Holy League fleet crushes the Ottoman navy in a huge galley battle.
- Time period
- 1571 AD
- Region
- Greece (Gulf of Patras)
- Theme
- Military
- Civilization
- Holy League and Ottoman Empire
On 7 October 1571, a Holy League fleet led by Don John of Austria defeated the Ottoman navy in the Gulf of Patras. It was among the largest galley battles in history. The victory ended the myth of Ottoman naval invincibility, though the Ottomans soon rebuilt.