In the summer of 1456, just three years after conquering Constantinople, Sultan Mehmed II set his sights on another prize: the mighty fortress of Belgrade.
But standing in his way was one of the most formidable military commanders of the 15th century: John Hunyadi, the legendary Hungarian general who had spent decades fighting the Ottoman Empire.
Situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, Belgrade guarded the gateway into Hungary and Central Europe. Its capture could open the way for further Ottoman expansion.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, we examine the armies, commanders, and military strategies behind one of the most consequential sieges of the 15th century.
We'll explore Mehmed's formidable Janissaries, Ottoman cavalry, siege artillery, and the defenders preparing to resist the conqueror of Constantinople. We'll also meet the fiery Franciscan preacher John of Capistrano and his crusading volunteers.
As Ottoman cannons batter Belgrade's walls, Hunyadi prepares a daring operation to break the Ottoman naval blockade on the Danube.
On July 14, 1456, the river erupts into battle.
But breaking the blockade is one thing. Surviving Mehmed the Conqueror is something else entirely.
The walls are crumbling, the Ottoman army remains outside the fortress, and the bloodiest fighting is yet to come.
The battle for Belgrade has only begun.
⚔️ LISTEN BEFORE BELGRADE — RECOMMENDED EPISODES
EXTRA 05 — JOHN HUNYADI: SCOURGE OF THE OTTOMANS
Discover the legendary Hungarian commander whose military career brought him into direct confrontation with the Ottoman Empire.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1qt43IiAHMiJLyoJlqQaRu
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/extra-05-john-hunyadi-1406-1456-scourge-of-the-ottomans/id1439365965?i=1000629660020
EPISODE 25, PART 1 — FORTRESS OF DOOM: THE CONQUEST OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Before Belgrade, discover Mehmed II's preparations for his legendary conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/60TgMu27wICwuaVgbZf9oW
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fortress-of-doom-the-conquest-of/id1439365965?i=1000635530936
EPISODE 28 — THE SULTAN'S UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Catch up on the events immediately preceding the Siege of Belgrade.
https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episodes
⚔️ COMING NEXT — EPISODE 29, PART 2
Mehmed prepares his final assault on Belgrade. The walls are breached, the defenders are exhausted, and the fate of Hungary hangs in the balance.
Follow the podcast so you don't miss the conclusion!
🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS & SPOTIFY
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ottoman-empire-podcast/id1439365965
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/2YDrJMDO1dpiKTdDBGHV3a
Website:
https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/
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Constantinople had fallen. Now Mehmed stood before Belgrade. But this time, conquest would not come so easily.
Welcome back to the Ottoman Empire Podcast!