Battle of Ohrid

Battle of Ohrid
Part of Albanian–Ottoman Wars (1432–1479)
Woodcut depicting the battle by Jost Amman, 1587
Date 14/15 September 1464 Location Near Ohrid (present-day North Macedonia) Result Albanian–Venetian victory
Belligerents
League of Lezhë Republic of Venice	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Skanderbeg Cimarosto	Şeremet bey
Strength
12,000 Albanians 1,000 Venetians	14,000 cavalry
Casualties and losses
Unknown	10,000

The Battle of Ohrid took place on 14 or 15 September 1464 between Albanian ruler Skanderbeg's forces and Ottoman forces. A crusade against Sultan Mehmed II had been planned by Pope Pius II with Skanderbeg as one of its main leaders. The battle near Ohrid occurred as a result of an Albanian incursion into Ottoman territory. The Ottomans stationed in the area were assaulted by Skanderbeg's men and 1,000 Venetian soldiers under Cimarosto. The Ottomans were lured out of their protections in Ohrid and ambushed by the Albanian cavalry. Skanderbeg won the resulting battle and his men earned 40,000 ducats after captured Ottoman officers were ransomed. Pius II died before the planned crusade began, however, forcing Skanderbeg to fight his battles virtually alone.