Siege of Belgrade
1717 · Belgrade (in today's Serbia) · World · Modern
Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the Ottoman relief army, and the Belgrade garrison surrendered
Belligerents
Austrian army
- Commanders
- Prince Eugene of Savoy
- Strength
- c. 100,000 men
Ottoman army
- Commanders
- Khalil Pasha
- Strength
- Garrison about 30,000; relief army about 150,000 (accounts vary)
Background
After crushing the Ottoman army at Petrovaradin in 1716, Prince Eugene of Savoy turned the following year against the fortress of Belgrade on the Danube.
Course of the battle
- Crossing the river to lay siegeThe Austrian army crossed the Danube and dug siege works around Belgrade
- Besiegers besiegedA large Ottoman army arrived to relieve the city and camped outside the Austrian lines; the Austrians were caught between two fronts, and disease spread
- Sortie in the fogEarly on August 16, Prince Eugene of Savoy took the offensive against the Ottoman relief army under cover of thick fog
- Fortress surrendersThe relief army was routed, and the garrison in the city surrendered soon after
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1717 |
|---|---|
| Place | Belgrade (in today's Serbia) |
| Result | Prince Eugene of Savoy defeated the Ottoman relief army, and the Belgrade garrison surrendered |
| Winner | Austria |
| Casualties | Austrian casualties about 5,000; Ottoman casualties in the tens of thousands |
| Territorial change | Under the 1718 Treaty of Passarowitz, Austria gained Belgrade |
Impact
The Siege of Belgrade was one of Prince Eugene of Savoy's most famous victories, and with it Austrian power advanced deep into the Balkans.
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