Invasion of Gozo (1551)
Encyclopedia
The Invasion of Gozo took place in July 1551, and was accomplished by the Ottoman Empire
against the island of Gozo
, following an unsuccessful attempt to conquer nearby Malta
on 18 July 1551. It was followed by a victorious campaign with the Siege of Tripoli (1551)
.
The Commander of the Ottoman fleet were Sinan Pasha
, accompanied by Sala Reis and Dragut Reis. The Ottomans initially landed on Malta, at Marsamuschetto, and marched upon Birgu
and Fort St Angelo
, but resistance was strong, and the Ottomans had to retreat.
The Ottoman then decided to attack nearby Gozo island. After a bombardment, the castle of Gozo
, under the command of Governor Gelatian de Sessa, capitulated. About 6,000 Christians were taken captive and ended up in slavery, being sailed to Tripoli
on 30 July.
Two other attacks were made on the island, unsuccessfully that time, in 1613 and 1709.
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
against the island of Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
, following an unsuccessful attempt to conquer nearby Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
on 18 July 1551. It was followed by a victorious campaign with the Siege of Tripoli (1551)
Siege of Tripoli (1551)
The Siege of Tripoli occurred in 1551 when the Ottomans besieged and vanquished the Knights of Malta in the fortress of Tripoli, modern Libya. The Spanish Habsburgs had established a fort in Tripoli in 1510 under Charles V, and remitted it the Knights in 1530...
.
The Commander of the Ottoman fleet were Sinan Pasha
Sinan Pasha
Sinan Pasha or Sinan Pashë Kahremanliu was an Albanian Grand Vizier, Ottoman military commander and statesman.-Life:...
, accompanied by Sala Reis and Dragut Reis. The Ottomans initially landed on Malta, at Marsamuschetto, and marched upon Birgu
Birgu
Birgu is an ancient city in Malta. It played a vital role in the Siege of Malta in 1565. Its population stood at 2,633 in December 2008.-History:...
and Fort St Angelo
Fort St Angelo
Fort St Angelo is a large fortification in Birgu, Malta, right at the centre of Grand Harbour.-History:Medieval TimesThe date of its original construction is unknown. However, there are claims of prehistoric or classical buildings near the site, due to some large ashlar blocks and an Egyptian pink...
, but resistance was strong, and the Ottomans had to retreat.
The Ottoman then decided to attack nearby Gozo island. After a bombardment, the castle of Gozo
Gozo
Gozo is a small island of the Maltese archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is part of the Southern European country of Malta; after the island of Malta itself, it is the second-largest island in the archipelago...
, under the command of Governor Gelatian de Sessa, capitulated. About 6,000 Christians were taken captive and ended up in slavery, being sailed to Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
on 30 July.
Two other attacks were made on the island, unsuccessfully that time, in 1613 and 1709.