What was the significance of the Battle of Preveza?

The Battle of Preveza was a naval battle fought between the Ottoman Empire and an alliance of Christian European powers in 1538. The Christian alliance, led by the Genoese admiral Andrea Doria, consisted of ships from Spain, Venice, and the Papal States, among others. The Ottoman fleet, led by the famous admiral Barbarossa, consisted of galleys and galleasses, and was one of the largest and most powerful fleets of the time.

The battle was fought in the Ionian Sea near the town of Preveza, and resulted in a decisive Ottoman victory. The Christian fleet suffered heavy losses, with many ships captured or sunk, and the Ottoman fleet emerged largely unscathed. The battle was significant in that it marked the end of the Christian naval dominance in the Mediterranean, and paved the way for Ottoman expansion in the region. It also served as a significant blow to the morale of Christian powers, who were forced to regroup and reconsider their strategies in the face of Ottoman aggression.