Lepanto. Town and port (8000 inhabitants) of Greece, in the name of Etolia and Acarniana. It is situated on the Western Coast of the straits which parts the Gulf of Patrasso from the Corinto’s one. 

Ancient town of the Locri de Ozdia; the Eraclid people should have formed a navy to pass from Pelloponeso. After the persian wars of Athenianas (456 b.c.) the Messeni settled there; during the Pe1oponnese wars it was operation-base for the Athenian navy. 

After the Egaspotamo battle it passed through the Locresi (404), the Achaei (339), the Etoli (338) and then through the Romans (191 b.c.). Its port was very important in the Medioeval period too; in 1407 Venetians held power and in 1499 the Turks. It was won again by the Venetians (1687) and then by the Turks (1699) ,and was subjected by them till 1828.

The sea-fight fought in 1571, between the Christian forces of the holy league and the Turkish’s represented on the technical plan of’ campaign the biggest medioeval and modern battle in the field of oar-marine. 

The Turkish navy at the Pusha Mehmet All’s command to protect the enemy treats set going towards the mouth of Gulf of Lepanto by the Curzolari. The Christian navy at the command of Don Giovanni of Austria consisted in united forces of Venice, Spain, the Pope’s, of the Order of St. Stephen, of the Duke of Savoy and of the Order of Malta.

The battle started and Gian Andrea Doria who led the right wing spoiled the left enemy forces firing at them; the Venetian Agostino Barbenigo instead was commanding the left christian force ,which resolutly attacked the right enemy force. 

The central fight led by Giovanni of Austria lasted a longtime notwithstanding the joined employment of fire and boardings; the Turks were at last defeated and the battle ended at the same time even at the wings.