THE BATTLE OF ST. GOTTHARD – MOGERSDORF/MODINCI, 1 AUGUST 1664
THE BATTLE OF ST. GOTTHARD – MOGERSDORF/MODINCI, 1 AUGUST 1664

Summary/Abstract: The 17th century was one of the most turbulent centuries in the history of Europe. Both its beginning and its end were marked by wars with the Ottoman Empire, the first half by a 30‐year religious war, and the second half by a mini‐ice age, in addition to the final turnaround in the Austrian‐Turkish wars. Given all of this, the Austrian‐Turkish war between 1663 and 1664 seems to be only a minor episode. Nevertheless, this war was considered an important turning point in European history. It coincided with the time when the surface area of the Ottoman Empire in Europe was at its largest and signaled the end of the Ottoman power and domination in South‐Eastern Europe. The battle of Saint Gotthard did not change the course of European history; however, it did expose some of the weaknesses of the Austrian Imperial Army on the one hand and the failings of the Turkish Army on the other. It can be argued that the experience of this battle convinced the Austrian emperor that victory in the Austrian‐Turkish war was possible. At the same time, this was an essential motivational aspect for Hungary in the coming fighting with the Turks. During this period, Hungary was still mainly under the occupation of the Ottoman Empire. The above‐mentioned was followed by the slow, but persistent decline of the Ottoman rule in the Western Balkans.

• Details
• Contents