28 Facts About Dragut

Dragut was an Ottoman corsair, naval commander, governor, and noble.

Dragut was described by a French admiral as "a living chart of the Mediterranean, skillful enough on land to be compared to the finest generals of the time" and that "no one was more worthy than he to bear the name of king".

Hayreddin Barbarossa, who was his mentor, stated that Dragut was ahead of him "both in fishing and bravery".

Dragut was born in Karatoprak near Bodrum, on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor, in the sub-district called Saravalos in the western tip of Bodrum peninsula; or probably in the Karabag village on the Aegean coast of Asia Minor.

Dragut further improved his skills in this field during his presence in Cairo.

Dragut immediately became one of the favourite crewmen of the famous corsair due to his success in hitting enemy vessels with cannons.

Dragut later landed at Crete and fought against the Venetian cavalry forces under the command of Antonio Calbo.

Dragut later landed at Pantelleria and raided the coasts of Sicily and Spain with a force of 25 ships, inflicting so much damage that Andrea Doria was ordered by Charles V to chase him with a force of 81 galleys.

Dragut later captured and sacked the nearby island of Capraia.

Dragut sacked Monterosso and Corniglia, and later landed at Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Dragut later captured Andora and took the podesta of the town as a prisoner.

Dragut later sailed to the Aeolian Islands, and at Salina Island he captured a Maltese trade ship with valuable cargo.

Dragut later sailed to Calabria, forcing the local population to flee towards the safety of the mountains.

Dragut did not succeed and returned to Djerba with his troops.

Dragut strengthened the defenses of the port and built the Turgut Fortress in place of the old Fortress of San Pietro.

Dragut later landed in Liguria and captured Bergeggi and San Lorenzo.

Dragut then defeated the Beni Oulid dynasty with a force of janissaries and added their territories to the Ottoman Empire.

Dragut later took Taorga, Misrata and Tagiora, before recapturing the island of Djerba and adding it to his province.

Dragut later landed at Torre del Greco, the coasts of Tuscany, and Piombino.

Dragut later landed at the Chiaia neighbourhood of Naples and captured it.

Dragut then sailed to the Adriatic Sea and landed on the coasts of Apulia and Abruzzo.

Dragut later landed twice at San Giovanni near Messina with a force of 28 galleys.

Dragut landed his troops at the entrance of Marsa Muscietto, a cape which was named after him, 'Dragut Point'.

Dragut advised him to first capture the poorly defended Cittadella and Mdina as soon as possible, but this advice was not taken.

Dragut arranged for more cannon fire to be concentrated on the recently built Fort St Elmo which controlled the entrance of the Grand Harbour and seemed weaker than the other forts; joining the bombardment with 30 of his own cannon.

Dragut's death prompted squabbling between the two senior Ottoman military officers, which led, in turn, to a series of disastrous decisions that helped save the knights.

Dragut's body was taken to Tripoli by Uluc Ali Reis, and buried in the Sidi Darghut Mosque, situated behind the castle.

Dragut is depicted in many works of art, statues, and many books have been written about his life and conquests.