Siege of Buda (1686)
The Siege of Buda in 1686 was a major event in the reconquest of Hungary from the Ottoman Empire. Following the unsuccessful siege of Buda in 1684, the Holy League, composed of Habsburg Austria, Poland-Lithuania, the Republic of Venice, and later Russia, launched a renewed effort to capture the strategically important city. Buda had been under Ottoman control since 1541 and served as a crucial administrative and military center.
The siege began in June 1686, with a significantly larger and better-equipped force than the one deployed in 1684. Charles V, Duke of Lorraine, commanded the Imperial forces, while notable figures like Prince Eugene of Savoy also participated. The Ottoman garrison, led by Abdurrahman Abdi Pasha, defended the city fiercely, utilizing its strong fortifications and strategic location.
The Holy League forces subjected Buda to intense bombardment, gradually weakening its defenses. They employed siege tactics such as trench warfare and mining to breach the walls. After weeks of fierce fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, Imperial troops finally breached the walls and stormed the city on September 2, 1686.
The fighting within the city was brutal, with house-to-house combat resulting in significant destruction and civilian casualties. Abdurrahman Abdi Pasha was killed in action, marking a significant blow to the Ottoman defense. The Holy League forces ultimately secured control of Buda, ending 145 years of Ottoman rule.
The recapture of Buda was a turning point in the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) and a major victory for the Habsburgs. It significantly weakened the Ottoman Empire's position in Central Europe and paved the way for the liberation of other Hungarian territories. The victory also had a symbolic importance, representing a triumph for Christendom over Islam and a restoration of Christian rule. Following the siege, Buda was largely destroyed and required significant rebuilding. The siege and subsequent occupation also resulted in significant demographic changes, with a decline in the Muslim population and an increase in the Christian population.