The Cretan War of 1645–1669 was fought between the Republic of Venice and the Ottoman Empire over Crete, Venice's richest overseas possession. It began when the Ottomans landed on the island, and they took most of it within a few years, but the capital Candia, today's Heraklion, resisted one of the longest sieges in history. Venice, supported by volunteers and ships from Malta, the Papal States, France and other Christian states, fought on in the Aegean and Dalmatia. Candia was surrendered by Francesco Morosini in 1669 after bitter fighting, and Venice kept a few island fortresses. The loss ended Venetian rule on Crete, which had lasted more than four centuries.
Before and after
- from 23 February 1643 to 30 August 1645Kieft's War
- 1644Birth of Matsuo Bashō
- June 1644The Manchus take Beijing and found Qing rule
- from September 1644 to July 1645Sieges of Taunton
- from 23 June 1645 to 1 January 1669Cretan War of 1645-1669
- 21 June 1646Birth of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
- from 1648 to 1657Khmelnytsky Uprising
- from 1648 to 1653Fronde
- 6 April 1648Construction of Red Fort
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1524 to 1525German Peasants' War
- from 1568 to 1918Russo-Turkish Wars
- from 1652 to 1784Anglo-Dutch Wars
- 1689Bill of Rights 1689
- 30 April 1707Acts of Union 1707
- 30 August 1721Treaty of Nystad
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.