Conquest of Tunis (1535)

Conquest of Tunis
Part of the Spanish–Ottoman wars, the Ottoman–Habsburg wars and the Ottoman–Portuguese conflicts

Attack on La Goletta, with Tunis in the background

Entry of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, into Tunis in 1535
DateJune 1535
Location
Tunis (present-day Tunisia)
Result Habsburg and allied victory
Territorial
changes
Muley Hassan of the Hafsid dynasty restored as client ruler of Tunis and Spanish-Imperial tributary
Belligerents

Holy Roman Empire Spanish Empire

Kingdom of Portugal
Papal States
Knights of Malta
Ottoman Empire
Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Charles V
Andrea Doria
Alfonso d'Avalos
Álvaro de Bazán
García de Toledo
Duke of Alba
Infante Luís
Hayreddin Barbarossa
Hasan Agha
Sinan Reis
Salah Rais
Aydın Reis  (DOW)
Strength
Total men: 30,000–60,000
10,000 Spaniards
8,000 Germans
8,000 Italians
1,500 Portuguese
700 Maltese
Unknown number of Flemings

Total ships: 400
207 ships
10 galleys
6 galleys
19 galleys
1 galleon, 2 carracks, 20 round caravels, 8 galleys
8 galleys
1 carrack, 4 galleys
60 hulks
Total men: 150,000
8,000 Turks
23,000 Moors
Over 100,000 mercenaries and Tunisians

Total ships: 100
82 galleys, galliots and fustas
27 sailing ships
Casualties and losses
Unknown High casualties
Around 82 ships captured
30,000 Muslim civilians massacred
10,000 Muslims enslaved
20,000 Christians freed

The Conquest of Tunis in 1535 occurred when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his allies captured the city of Tunis from the control of the Ottoman Empire. The Catholic fleet, which included admirals Andrea Doria and Bazán the Elder, captured the fleet of grand Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa, who had turned Tunis into his naval base for future invasions of Italy and Spain. Although Barbarossa managed to escape, the victory ensured Ottoman forces in North Africa remained limited to the usual actions of the Barbary corsairs. Tunis remained under Spanish control until its Ottoman recapture in 1569.