Mohács, in southern Hungary close to the Danube, was the scene of one of the darkest dates in Hungarian history. On 29 August 1526 the Ottoman army under Suleiman the Magnificent defeated the army of King Louis II of Hungary here.
The battle
After the capture of Belgrade in 1521, Suleiman advanced along the Danube. The Hungarian army met him on the plain of Mohács. The battle was very short; sources usually speak of a few hours of fighting. The Hungarian army suffered heavy losses. King Louis II, still very young, died while retreating, in a stream bed. Pál Tomori, Archbishop of Kalocsa and one of the army’s leading commanders, also fell.
Aftermath
After the victory the Ottoman army advanced on Buda. With the king dead, the throne was empty, and a struggle began between John Zápolya and the Habsburg Archduke Ferdinand. In 1541 the Ottomans placed Buda under direct rule, and central Hungary stayed under Ottoman authority for about 150 years. Suleiman appeared before Vienna three years later; see Vienna.
What you can see today
- Mohács National Memorial Site: A memorial park south of the town, on part of the battlefield, with carved wooden grave posts and structures commemorating the fallen.
- Mass graves: The site contains mass graves thought to belong to victims of the battle.
- The town of Mohács: A small town on the Danube; the local museum has exhibits on the battle.
Tips for visiting
Mohács is roughly half an hour to an hour from Pécs, so both can be combined in one day. The memorial park lies outside the town centre, so plan your transport in advance. Half a day is enough. Check current opening hours before you go.
For other Ottoman traces nearby, see Szigetvár and Budapest.