Who won the Battle of Preveza?

The Ottoman fleet under Hayreddin Barbarossa won a decisive victory over the vastly larger Holy League fleet commanded by Andrea Doria.

Why was the Battle of Preveza important?

It established Ottoman naval supremacy over the Mediterranean for over 33 years, until the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Venice was forced to sign a humiliating peace treaty in 1540. Turkish Naval Forces Day (September 27) is celebrated in memory of this victory.

Battle of Preveza (1538)

September 28, 1538 — The day that sealed Ottoman mastery of the Mediterranean

The Road to War

By the late 1530s, the balance of power in the Mediterranean was shifting. Hayreddin Barbarossa's transformation of the Ottoman navy into a formidable fighting force had alarmed every major European power.

At the urging of Pope Paul III, the navies of Venice, Spain, Genoa, the Knights of Malta, and the Papacy united to form a grand Holy League fleet. Command was given to the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria.

Forces Comparison

Ottoman Fleet

Commander: Hayreddin Barbarossa
Ships: ~122 galleys
Troops: ~20,000 sailors and soldiers
Position: Preveza (western Greece)
Advantage: Speed, maneuverability, experience
Key officers: Turgut Reis, Salih Reis, Sinan Reis

Holy League Fleet

Commander: Andrea Doria (Genoa)
Ships: ~302 (162 galleys + 140 support)
Troops: ~60,000 sailors and soldiers
Members: Venice, Spain, Papacy, Genoa, Malta
Weakness: No coordination between allies

The Course of Battle

On the morning of September 28, 1538, Barbarossa positioned his fleet at the mouth of the Gulf of Preveza. Despite being outnumbered nearly three to one, he employed a masterful sequence of tactics:

Wind advantage: Barbarossa positioned himself close to shore, securing the wind at his back
Crescent formation: He arrayed his fleet in a crescent, creating an enveloping position
Center strike: He directed his main force against the Venetian ships — the weakest link
Doria's hesitation: The Genoese admiral entered the battle late and then withdrew
Decisive victory: The Holy League fleet scattered; dozens of ships were sunk or captured

"The victory at Preveza was the single greatest step in making the Mediterranean an Ottoman sea."

Results

Ottoman naval supremacy over the Mediterranean was firmly established
Venice was forced to sue for peace (1540), ceding Aegean territories and paying heavy indemnities
The Ottoman fleet remained undefeated for 33 years — until the Battle of Lepanto in 1571
Barbarossa's genius as a naval commander was recognized across the world
Turkish Naval Forces Day is celebrated on September 27 in memory of this victory

Historical Significance

Preveza was not merely a naval engagement — it was a turning point in world history. The victory gave the Ottoman Empire control of Mediterranean trade routes and consolidated its hold over North Africa. The Holy League alliance dissolved in mutual recriminations, with Andrea Doria accused of cowardice and betrayal.

Every year on September 27, the Turkish Navy commemorates this date as Naval Forces Day, marking the appointment of Barbarossa as Grand Admiral — an event inseparable from the triumph at Preveza.

Hayreddin Barbarossa → Oruç Reis → Turgut Reis → Other Admirals → Bibliography →

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Battle of Preveza take place?

On September 28, 1538, near the town of Preveza on the western coast of Greece.

Who won the battle?

The Ottoman fleet under Hayreddin Barbarossa won a decisive victory over the far larger Holy League fleet.

Why was Preveza important?

It established Ottoman naval supremacy over the Mediterranean for 33 years. Venice was forced to sign a humiliating peace treaty in 1540. Turkish Naval Forces Day (September 27) commemorates this victory.

Who was Andrea Doria?

The Genoese admiral who commanded the Holy League fleet. He entered the battle late and withdrew without engaging fully, leaving the Venetian and Papal ships to be destroyed — a critical factor in the defeat.