Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled in a post the anniversary of the Battle of Preveza, on 28 September 1538, which saw the Ottomans under Hayreddin Barbarossa defeat the united fleet of the Holy League. The Turkish president provocatively hailed Barbarossa’s success, saying that he, together with his sailors, “turned the Mediterranean into a Turkish sea!”

“I congratulate you with all my heart on the anniversary of the Naval Victory of Preveza and Naval Forces Day, respectfully honouring Admiral Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha, who with this glorious victory turned the Mediterranean into a Turkish sea, together with his heroic sailors,” the Turkish president wrote, adding: “I pray to God for success for our heroic sailors in the missions they have undertaken and send my greetings to each and every one of them.”

The history of the Battle of Preveza

The Battle of Preveza took place on 28 September 1538 off the coast of Preveza, between the Ottoman fleet under Admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa and the united fleet of the Holy League of Christian powers, which had been formed on the initiative of Pope Paul III. The allied fleet was commanded by the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria.

Barbarossa, one of the most important naval figures of the era, was born in 1478 in Mytilene and died in Constantinople on 4 July 1546 of natural causes. He had already gained extensive experience in naval operations and was the most powerful commander of the Ottoman fleet.

Despite the Ottomans being at a clear numerical disadvantage, Barbarossa managed to turn the situation around. His fleet had just 122 galleys, compared with approximately 300 warships belonging to the Holy League.

Taking advantage of the sea currents and the manoeuvrability of the Ottoman ships, he approached the opposing fleet and formed a ‘Y’-shaped formation, effectively trapping the large but less manoeuvrable fleet of the Christian forces.

The battle developed into a series of fierce clashes between the ships of the two sides.

Barbarossa’s strategy proved effective. The Ottoman fleet sank 13 allied galleys, captured 36 ships and took approximately 3,000 men prisoner. Ottoman casualties amounted to around 1,200 dead and wounded, while several of their ships suffered serious damage.

The defeat had significant consequences for the Holy League. Andrea Doria, disappointed by the course of the battle, decided to withdraw towards Corfu the following day, despite objections from other commanders who called for the fighting to continue.

The victory at Preveza significantly strengthened the Ottoman Empire’s dominance in the Mediterranean. In the years that followed, the Ottomans consolidated their presence in the Aegean and Ionian seas, while gaining control of important Western possessions in the Peloponnese and along the Dalmatian coast.

Admiral Barbarossa is regarded as a national hero by the Turks, and his mausoleum is located at the Istanbul Naval Museum.