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{{Short description|1717 battle}}
{{For|the Second World War battle|Battle of Cape Matapan}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Matapan
| partof            = the [[Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War]]
| image             = Battle of Matapan by António José Ramos, copy of the original painting made by João.jpg
| image_size        = 300px
| caption           = ''Batalha Naval do Cabo Matapão'', by António José Ramos, copy of the original painting made by João Dantas in 1812.
| date              = 19 July 1717
| place             = Off [[Cape Matapan]], [[Mediterranean Sea]]
| result            = Catholic victory<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saraiva |first=José Hermano |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FbhuBgAAQBAJ&dq=Matapan+Ottoman+victory+1717&pg=PT67 |title=Portugal: A Companion History |date=2012-07-27 |publisher=Carcanet Poetry |isbn=978-1-84777-977-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jack |first=Malcolm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=If2ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=Matapan+victory+1717&pg=PT64 |title=Lisbon, City of the Sea: A History |date=2019-08-22 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-83860-172-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Anstruther |first=Godfrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oIcaAAAAMAAJ&q=Matapan+victory+1717 |title=The Seminary Priests: A Dictionary of the Secular Clergy of England and Wales, 1558-1850 |date=1969 |publisher=St. Edmund's College |isbn=978-0-85597-118-2 |language=en}}</ref>
| combatant1        = {{plainlist |
{{flagicon image|Ottoman red flag.svg}} [[Ottoman Empire]]
}}
| combatant2        = {{plainlist |
*{{flagcountry|Republic of Venice}}
*{{flag|Kingdom of Portugal|1707|name=Portugal}}
*{{flagdeco|SMOM}} [[History of Malta under the Order of Saint John|Malta]]
*{{flagcountry|Papal States|old}}
}}
| commander1        = {{flagicon image|Ottoman red flag.svg}} Ibrahim Pasha
| commander2        = {{plainlist |
*{{flagdeco|Republic of Venice}} [[Marcantonio Diedo]]
*{{flagdeco|Kingdom of Portugal|1707}} [[Lopo Furtado de Mendonça, 1st Count of Rio Grande|Lopo F. de Mendonça]]
}}
| strength1         = 34 ships <br> 24 galleys <br> 1 frigate
| strength2         = 22 ships <br> 21 frigates <br> 9 galleys
| casualties1       = Unknown
| casualties2       = Unknown
}}
{{Campaignbox Seventh Ottoman–Venetian War}}
{{Campaignbox Portuguese-Turkish War}}
The '''Battle of Matapan''', also known as the '''Battle of Cape Matapan''', took place on 19 July 1717 off the [[Cape Matapan]], on the coast of the [[Mani Peninsula]], now in southern [[Greece]]. The [[naval battle]] was between the [[Venetian navy|Armada Grossa]] of the [[Republic of Venice]], supported by a mixed squadron of allied ships from [[Portugal]], the [[Papal States]] and [[Knights Hospitaller|Malta]], and the [[Ottoman Navy|Ottoman fleet]], under ''[[Kapudan Pasha]]'' Eğribozli Ibrahim Pasha.

== Prelude ==
The 24 Venetian sailing ships under Marcantonio Diedo, commander of the Venetian fleet, met up with another Venetian squadron of 24 galleys under the [[Captain general of the Sea|''Capitano generale da Mar'']] [[Andrea Pisani (admiral)|Andrea Pisani]] and a small squadron of 9 mixed [[Portugal|Portuguese]]-[[Malta|Maltese]] ships under the Maltese knight Bellefontaine near [[Cape Matapan]] on 2 July. After trying separately to win the wind gauge, and running out of water supply, the Allied force went to [[Cranae|Marathonisi]], near the top of the Gulf of Matapan, to resupply. They had tried to reach [[Sapientza]], but winds were against them and they took the risk of being caught in the gulf.

== Battle ==

The Ottoman fleet, with 30 sailing ships, and 4 galleys, was seen to the south, on the west side of the bay entrance, on 19 July. With a light wind from the SSE, this meant that they had the advantage. Diedo, unable to sail to the west of the Ottoman fleet, decided to sail slowly east, across the bay.

The Allied fleet was organized into four divisions: the ''[[Capitano delle Navi]]'', Diedo, was in the Van, followed by the Center, led by his second in command, Correr. The 3rd or Rear Division was commanded by Dolfin. The 4th or Allied Division was commanded by Belle Fontaine.

Ibrahim with 6 ships attacked the Rear Division at about 6am, while the rest of his fleet went ahead and attacked the Van and Center. At about 12pm the fleets were approaching the east side of the bay, and shortly after the leading ships turned, the wind turned from the SE, putting the leading [[Republic of Venice|Venetian]] ships to windward of some of the Ottoman fleet for the first time. Taking advantage of this, Diedo attacked them and the tough battle continued. At about 3pm the Ottoman fleet retired, sailing for the Cervi-Cerigo passage, while the Allies sailed for Cape Matapan. Neither side wished to continue the fight.

== Aftermath ==
As a result of the battle, the Venetian attempt to recapture the [[Kingdom of the Morea|Morea]] was foiled and the Ottoman reconquest of the peninsula was confirmed.

Each Allied state gave their own ships complete credit for any achievements. Some of these accounts are almost totally unreliable due to a variety of reasons—for example, their inclusion of forces which were not actually present for the battle.

In Lisbon, the victory at Matapan was greatly celebrated and served to enhance [[John V of Portugal|John V]]'s international prestige.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Saraiva |first=José Hermano |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FbhuBgAAQBAJ&dq=Matapan+Ottoman+victory+1717&pg=PT67 |title=Portugal: A Companion History |date=2012-07-27 |publisher=Carcanet Poetry |isbn=978-1-84777-977-9 |language=en}}</ref> For the support given to the Catholic forces, the Portuguese King received the title of the "[[Most Faithful Majesty|Most Faithful]]" and the arch-episcopacy of Lisbon was elevated to the status of a patriarchate.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jack |first=Malcolm |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=If2ZDwAAQBAJ&dq=Matapan+victory+1717&pg=PT64 |title=Lisbon, City of the Sea: A History |date=2019-08-22 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-83860-172-0 |language=en}}</ref>

== Ships involved ==

=== Venice and allies ===
<ref>{{Harvp|Ercole |2011|pp=226–245}}</ref>
*'''Blue Division - Vanguard'''
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Madonna dell'Arsenal'']] (Madonna of the Arsenal) 68 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Costanza'']] 70 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Trionfo'']] (Triumph) 70 guns (flagship of Admiral Diedo)
**''Leon Trionfante'' 80 guns
**''San Francesco da Paola'' 54 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Aquila Valiera'']] (Valieran Eagle) 70 guns
**[[Fede Guerriera-class ship of the line|''Fenice'']] (Phoenyx) 60 guns
**[[Sant'Andrea-class ship of the line|''Sant'Andrea'']] 60 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Gloria Veneta'']] (Venetian Glory) 68 guns
*'''Yellow Division - Center'''
**[[Corona-class ship of the line|''Corona'']] (Crown) 74 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Madonna della Salute'']] (Madonna of Health) 70 guns (flagship of ''Almirante'' [[Ludovico Diedo]], {{KIA}})
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Terror'']] 70 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''San Pio V'']] (Saint Pius V) 70 guns
**''San Pietro Apostolo'', bought in Livorno, 50 guns
**[[Sant'Antonio da Padova-class ship of the line|''Aquila Volante'']] (Flying Eagle) 52 guns, also reported as ''Aquiletta''
**[[Fede Guerriera-class ship of the line|''Fede Guerriera'']] (Warrior Faith) 60 guns
**[[Sant'Antonio da Padova-class ship of the line|''Nettuno'']] (Neptune) 52 guns
**[[Drago Volante-class ship of the line|''Sacra Lega'']] (Holy League) 50 guns
*'''Red Division - Rear'''
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''San Gaetano'']] 70 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Fortuna Guerriera'']] (Warrior Fortune) 68 guns
**[[Scudo della Fede-class ship of the line|''Venezia Trionfante'']] (Triumphant Venice) 52 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''San Lorenzo Zustinian II'']] 70 guns
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Grand'Alessandro'']] (Big Alexander) 70 guns (flagship of ''Almirante'' Dolfin)
**[[San Lorenzo Zustinian-class ship of the line|''Colomba d'Oro'']] (Golden Dove) 70 guns, also reported as ''Colomba''
**[[Fede Guerriera-class ship of the line|''Rosa'']] (Rose) 60 guns, also reported as ''Rosa Moceniga''
**[[Madonna della Salute-class ship of the line|''Valor Coronato'']] (Crowned valour) 52 guns
**''São Lourenço'' 58 guns (Portuguese)
*'''Allied Division'''
[[File:Lopo Furtado de Mendonça - Domingos Vieira - 1635.jpg|thumb|Admiral Lopo Furtado de Mendonça, commander of the ''Nossa Senhora da Conceição'']]
**''San Raimondo'' 46 guns (Maltese)
**''Fortuna Guerriera'' 70 guns (Venetian)
**''Rainha dos Anjos'' 56 guns (Portuguese)
**''Nossa Senhora das Necessidades'' 66 guns (Portuguese)
**''Santa Catarina'' 56 guns (Chevalier de Bellefontaine - Maltese)
**''Nossa Senhora do Pilar'' 84 guns (Portuguese)
**''Santa Rosa'' 66 guns (Portuguese)
**''[[Portuguese ship Nossa Senhora da Conceição|Nossa Senhora da Conceição]]'' 80 guns (General-Admiral Lopo Furtado de Mendoça - Portuguese)
**''Nossa Senhora da Assunção'' 66 guns (Portuguese)
*'''Auxiliaries'''
**''Captain Trivisan'' (fireship) - Scuttled
**''Madonna del Rosario'' (hospital ship) - Sunk

====Galleys====
13 Venetian<br>
5 Maltese<br>
4 Papal<br>
2 Tuscan

===Ottomans===
===Ships of the Line===
''Kebir Üç Ambarlı'' (The Great Three Decker) 114 (Flagship of Ibrahim Pasha)<br>
''Ejder Başlı'' (The Dragon) 70<br>
''Çifte Ceylan Kıçlı'' (The Two Gazelles) 70<br>
''Yaldızlı Hurma'' (The Gilded Date) 70<br>
''Şadırvan Kıçlı'' (The Sprinkling Fountain) 66<br>
''Siyah At Başlı'' (The Black Horse) 66<br>
''Beyaz At Başlı'' (The White Horse) 66<br>
''Kula At Başlı'' (The Grey Horse) 66<br>
''Büyük Gül Başlı'' (The Great Rose) 66<br>
''Yılan Başlı'' (The Snake) 34 (unique ship with 2x372 pdr "üç kantar" monster guns firing marble balls)<br>
''Ifrit Başlı'' (The Demon) 62<br>
''Küçük Gül Başlı'' (The Little Rose) 60<br>
''Çifte Teber Kıçlı'' (Two Halberds) 58<br>
''Yıldız Bagçeli'' (The Star Garden) 58<br>
''Zülfikâr Kıçlı'' (The Two Pointed Sword) 56<br>
''Akçaşehir'' (Town of Akçaşehir) 56 guns<br>
''Servi Bagçeli'' (The Cypress Garden) 54<br>
''Ay Bagçeli'' (The Moon Garden) 54<br>
''Yeşil Kuşaklı'' (Green Belted) 54<br>
''Sarı Kuşaklı'' (Yellow Belted) 54<br>
''Kırmızı Kuşaklı'' (Red Belted) 52<br>
''Al At Başlı'' (The Red Horse) 52<br>
''Yaldızlı Nar Kıçlı'' (The Gilded Pomegranate) 52

===Caravellas===
''Mavi Arslan Başlı'' (The Blue Lion) 44<br>
''Siyah Arslan Başlı'' (The Black Lion) 44<br>
''Taç Başlı'' (The Crown) 44<br>
''Güneş Kıçlı'' (The Sun) 44<br>
''Kuş Bagçeli Karavele'' (The Bird Garden Caravella) 44<br>
''Yıldız Kıçlı'' (The Star) 40<br>
''Mavi Kıçlı Karavele'' (The Blue Caravella) 38<br><ref>Yusuf Alperen Aydın, "Sultan'ın Kalyonları", Istanbul, 2011</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
* História da Marinha de Portugal, Editora das Forças Armadas
* {{Naval Wars in the Levant 1559–1853}}
* {{cite book|last=Lane|first=Frederic Chapin|title=Venice, a Maritime Republic|publisher=JHU Press|year=1973| isbn=978-0-8018-1460-0}}
* {{cite book|last1=Ercole|first1=Guido|title=Vascelli e fregate della Serenissima|date=2011|publisher=GMT|location=Trento|isbn=978-8890565144}}

{{coord missing|Greece}}
{{Ottoman battles}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Conflicts in 1717|Matapan]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the Ottoman–Venetian Wars|Matapan 1717]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving Portugal|Matapan 1717]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving the Knights Hospitaller|Matapan 1717]]
[[Category:Naval battles involving the Papal States]]
[[Category:Naval battles of the Ottoman–Portuguese conflicts|Matapan]]
[[Category:1717 in Europe]]
[[Category:18th century in Greece]]
[[Category:1717 in the Ottoman Empire]]
[[Category:Ottoman–Venetian War (1714–1718)]]