Battle of Acre (1258)

The Battle of Acre (1258) was a naval engagement fought between the Republic of Venice and the Republic of Genoa as part of the War of Saint Sabas. This conflict, which spanned from 1256 to 1270, was a series of naval and land battles fought primarily over control of commercial interests and access to lucrative trade routes in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly those connected to Acre (modern-day Akko, Israel), a major port city in the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

In 1258, the Genoese fleet, commanded by Rosso della Turca, was blockading Acre, aiming to cut off Venetian trade and supplies. The Venetian fleet, led by Lorenzo Tiepolo, son of Doge Jacopo Tiepolo, engaged the Genoese in a fierce battle near the port city. The Venetian ships were reportedly larger and better equipped.

The battle itself was a decisive Venetian victory. The Genoese fleet was heavily defeated, with many ships sunk or captured. Sources indicate significant casualties on both sides. The outcome of the Battle of Acre severely hampered Genoese operations in the region for some time and strengthened Venetian control over Acre's maritime trade routes. While the War of Saint Sabas continued for several more years, the Venetian victory in 1258 significantly shifted the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean, granting them a significant advantage in the struggle for economic and political dominance over Genoa.