Siege of Eger | |||||||
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Part of the Ottoman–Habsburg War (1551–1562) | |||||||
The Women of Eger, Bertalan Székely | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Ottoman Empire | Hungarian defenders | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ahmed Pasha Hadım Ali Pasha of Buda Sokollu Mehmed Pasha | István Dobó | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Modern estimates: 35,000–40,000 men[1][2] (Gárdonyi's data: 150,000 and 200,000[3] is romantic exaggeration) | Approx. 2,100–2,300[4] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
"Heavy casulties" | 400–600 dead |
The siege of Eger (Hungarian: Eger ostroma) occurred during the 16th century Ottoman wars in Europe. In 1552, the forces of the Ottoman Empire led by Kara Ahmed Pasha laid siege to the Castle of Eger, located in the northern part of the Kingdom of Hungary, but the defenders led by István Dobó repelled the attacks and defended the castle, despite being outnumbered approximately 1 to 17. The siege has become an emblem of national defense and patriotic heroism in Hungary.