Gallipoli

Gallipoli stands on the European shore of the Dardanelles, overlooking the crossing between Anatolia and Thrace. Its harbour and fortress made it a valuable gateway to the Balkans and a base for fleets guarding the straits. Once a Byzantine town, it became a major Ottoman foothold in Europe and a point from which armies could cross between the two continents.

In 1354 an earthquake shattered Gallipoli's walls. Ottoman forces under Süleyman Pasha occupied and repaired the fortress, settling people from Anatolia in the town. A Savoyard expedition recovered it for Byzantium in 1366, but it returned to Ottoman hands in 1376. Gallipoli subsequently became a naval base as well as a crossing place. In 1416 a Venetian fleet commanded by Pietro Loredan defeated the Ottoman ships off the harbour, demonstrating the continuing struggle for command of the straits.