1571 CEReputable sourceWell documented
The Battle of Lepanto
On the timeline · around 1571 CE ·
What happened
In 1571 a Christian 'Holy League' fleet destroyed the Ottoman navy at the Battle of Lepanto — the last great clash of oar-powered galleys. The Ottomans rebuilt their fleet within a year, but the spell of invincibility was broken.
Why it matters
Lepanto was Europe's first major victory over the Ottomans, a huge psychological boost for Christendom even as Ottoman power endured.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. The Ottoman Empire · Reputable source