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Ottoman fleet under Dragut captures Tripoli from the Knights of Malta after a six-day bombardment

The siege of Tripoli was a successful Ottoman siege of the North African city of Tripoli, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, in August 1551.

The siege of Tripoli was a successful Ottoman siege of the North African city of Tripoli, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, in August 1551. The attack, which was led by Sinan Pasha and Dragut, appears to have been launched in retaliation for the capture of Mahdia by the Spanish and Hospitallers the previous year.

The siege followed a brief Ottoman attack on the Kingdom of Sicily and Hospitaller Malta, during which the island of Gozo was invaded and sacked and some 5,000 to 7,000 inhabitants were taken as slaves. The Ottoman forces then sailed to North Africa, where local forces bolstered them from Tajura led by Murad Agha.

Historical Significance

The siege of Tripoli was a successful Ottoman siege of the North African city of Tripoli, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, in August 1551.

Events Before

  1. 1st sitting of "Vurige Chamber" in Paris

    1st sitting of "Vurige Chamber" in Paris

  2. Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and former Lord Protector is freed from the Tower of London

    Edward VI (12 October 1537 – 6 July 1553) was King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death in 1553. He was crowned on 20 February 1547 at the age of nine.

  3. France and England sign the Peace of Boulogne

    France and England sign the Peace of Boulogne

  4. Jewish physician Joseph Hacohen is expelled from the city of Genoa, followed by the expulsion of all Jews soon afterward

    Jewish physician Joseph Hacohen is expelled from the city of Genoa, followed by the expulsion of all Jews soon afterward

  5. Emperor Charles V grants inquisitors additional powers

    Emperor Charles V grants inquisitors additional powers

Events After

  1. Gustav I, King of Sweden (56) marries his third wife, niece of his second wife Katarina Stenbock (17) at Vadstena Abbey

    Gustav I, King of Sweden (56) marries his third wife, niece of his second wife Katarina Stenbock (17) at Vadstena Abbey

  2. Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, hundreds killed

    Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, hundreds killed

  3. France signs a secret treaty with Protestant German princes of the Holy Roman Empire

    France signs a secret treaty with Protestant German princes of the Holy Roman Empire

  4. Dutch coast hit by heavy storm

    Dutch coast hit by heavy storm

  5. Privileges of Hanseatic League in England are abrogated

    Privileges of Hanseatic League in England are abrogated

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 14, 1551?
The siege of Tripoli was a successful Ottoman siege of the North African city of Tripoli, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, in August 1551. The attack, which was led by Sinan Pasha and Dragut, appears to have been launched in retaliation for the capture of Mahdia by the Spanish and Hospitallers the previous year. The siege followed a brief Ottoman attack on the Kingdom of Sicily and Hospitaller Malta, during which the island of Gozo was invaded and sacked and some 5,000 to 7,000 inhabitants were taken as slaves.
Why is Ottoman fleet under Dragut captures Tripoli from the Knights of Malta after a... significant?
The siege of Tripoli was a successful Ottoman siege of the North African city of Tripoli, then held by the Knights Hospitaller, in August 1551.

Explore More

August 14 in HistoryYear 1551