In 1479, the Ottoman Empire extended an alliance proposal to Venice, Italy, which was declined. Mehmed II, the reigning Sultan of the Ottoman Empire at the time, then decided to invade Italy, a plan he had pondered for a while. On August 12th, 1480, the Ottoman troops received orders to cross the Strait of Otranto and capture the city. 

Fun Facts

• The Ottoman Empire is also commonly referred to as the Turkish Empire. The Ottoman Empire reigned over Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa.
• This Empire ruled between the 14th and 20th centuries. At one time, it ruled over southeastern central Europe.
• This Empire had a sultan at the peak of its hierarchy. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ruled from 1520 to 1566 and is recognized for ruling the Empire at the time of its peak.
• On July 28th, 1480, the Ottoman fleet arrived in Otranto. Fearing for their lives, the citizens of Otranto sought refuge in the city’s castle. After a 15-day siege, the final assault was launched on 11th August, marking the end of the city’s resistance.
• On the 12th of August, the Ottoman troops went from house to house, looting and setting the houses on fire.
• In total, 12,000 people lost their lives, while 5,000 more became slaves to the Ottoman Empire.
• One of the enduring cultural transformations under Ottoman rule was the conversion of the city’s cathedral into a mosque.