Grand Admiral
Hayreddin Barbarossa
Master of the Mediterranean, founder of the Ottoman Navy, 1478-1546. An epic saga from Algiers to Istanbul.
Ottoman Naval Heroes
Hayreddin Barbarossa
The greatest commander of the Ottoman fleet. He conquered Algiers and crushed the Holy League at Preveza.
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Oruç Reis
Barbarossa's elder brother, the terror of the Mediterranean. He defended North Africa against the Spanish.
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Other Admirals
Turgut Reis, Salih Reis, Aydin Reis, Seyyid Muradi, and more...
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Tomb
A masterpiece by Mimar Sinan in Beşiktaş. Built in 1541-42.
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Gallery
Historical images, banners, paintings, and photographs.
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Seas Brought to Heel
A 40-episode audio drama. Experience Barbarossa's epic life through narrated theater.
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Who Was Barbarossa?
Hayreddin Barbarossa (1478-1546) was the greatest naval commander of the Ottoman Empire and one of the most consequential admirals in world history. Born on the Aegean island of Lesbos, he spent his early years in commerce before turning to corsairing alongside his elder brother Oruç Reis. After Oruç's death in 1518, Hayreddin took command of Algiers and submitted to the Ottoman Sultan, who honored him with the name "Hayreddin" — Goodness of the Faith.
In 1533, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent appointed him Grand Admiral (Kaptan-ı Derya), and Barbarossa proceeded to reshape Mediterranean history. His crowning achievement came at the Battle of Preveza in 1538, where his 122 galleys destroyed a Holy League armada of over 300 ships without losing a single vessel. He later forged an extraordinary alliance with France, besieging Nice and wintering his fleet in Toulon. He died in 1546 and was buried in a tomb designed by Mimar Sinan in Beşiktaş, Istanbul — a shrine where Turkish sailors still pay their respects to this day.