In 1538, which naval battle was a major Ottoman victory?

The Battle of Preveza was the major Ottoman naval victory fought in 1538.

It took place on 28 September 1538 near Preveza in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of present-day northwestern Greece. The Ottoman fleet was commanded by Hayreddin Barbarossa, the empire’s celebrated admiral, while the opposing Holy League fleet was led by the Genoese commander Andrea Doria.

The Holy League brought together forces associated with Venice, Spain, Genoa, the Papal States, and the Knights of Malta. Despite its substantial numerical and tonnage advantage, it failed to defeat Barbarossa’s fleet. The Ottoman victory strengthened Ottoman control over the eastern Mediterranean and checked the League’s attempt to challenge the empire’s maritime power.

Preveza is sometimes confused with Lepanto, another famous Mediterranean battle. Lepanto, fought in 1571, was a Christian Holy League victory over the Ottomans. Preveza occurred 33 years earlier and had the opposite result. The battle was also fought near the site of the ancient Battle of Actium, fought in 31 BCE.