History of Thessaly - Ottoman Thessaly

Ottoman Thessaly

The Ottomans first invaded Thessaly in 1386, when Gazi Evrenos took Larissa for a time, confining the Angeloi Philanthropenoi to their holdings in western Thessaly, around Trikala. In 1392/3, the second phase of the invasion began, again under Evrenos. The Ottomans defeated Manuel Angelos Philanthropenos, and retook Larissa. The conquest of Thessaly was completed during the next few years, from 1394 under the personal supervision of Sultan Bayezid I. The fortresses of Volos, Pharsala, Domokos and Neopatras were taken, and in 1395/6, Trikala too fell. After the disastrous Battle of Ankara in 1402 however, the weakened Ottomans were forced to return the eastern half of Thessaly to Byzantine rule, while the remainder reverted to virtual independence, and the two forts of Pteleos and Gardiki came under Venetian control. It was not until 1423 that Murad II reconquered Thessaly, installing Muslim settlers from the region of Iconium (who became known as "Koniars", Κονιάροι in Greek, from their place of origin) to secure his hold of the area. Turakhan Beg became the region's first Ottoman governor. Gardiki and Pteleos held out until 1470, when they were taken by the Ottomans.