What was the Treaty of Karlowitz?

The Treaty of Karlowitz, also known as the Treaty of Karlovci, was a peace agreement signed on January 26, 1699, in the town of Karlowitz (Karlovci) in modern-day Serbia. The treaty ended the Austro-Ottoman War of 1683-1697, which was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy.

Under the terms of the treaty, the Ottomans ceded significant territories to the Habsburgs, including parts of Hungary, Croatia, and Transylvania. The Habsburgs also gained control over the principality of Transylvania and the Ottoman port of Novi Pazar. In addition, the Ottomans were required to acknowledge the Habsburgs as the legitimate rulers of much of central Europe.

The Treaty of Karlowitz was a significant turning point in the history of Europe, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire's expansion into central Europe and the beginning of the Habsburgs' rise as a major power. It also set the stage for future conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs, including the devastating Austro-Turkish War of 1716-1718.