Battle of El Tor

Battle of El Tor
Part of Ottoman–Portuguese conflicts (1538–1559)

16th century Portuguese sketch of Toro
Date1541
Location
Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Portuguese Empire Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
  • Dom Estevão da Gama
Unknown
Strength
255 soldiers
17 oarships
200 horsemen
Casualties and losses
3 wounded Over 20 dead

The Battle of El Tor was a military engagement that took place in 1541, between Portuguese forces under the command of the Governor of India Dom Estevão da Gama and those of the Ottoman Empire then in the city of El Tor, on the Sinai Peninsula. The Turks were driven from the city, but at the request of Christian monks from the Monastery of Saint Catherine the Portuguese spared the city from being plundered, and celebrated a mass and a knighting ceremony therein.

It is among the most celebrated episodes of the history of Portugal, and considered one of the greatest achievements of chivalry of history; the event was later celebrated across Europe.