1496

1496 was a leap year in the Julian calendar. It occurred during the late 15th century, a period of transition from the Middle Ages to the early modern era, characterized by Renaissance cultural developments and increasing overseas exploration.

In Europe, the Italian Wars continued to shape politics on the Italian peninsula, involving French, Holy Roman, Papal, and local rulers. The kingdoms of Iberia were consolidating their realms after the Reconquista, while monarchies in France and England pursued stronger centralized authority and expanding influence abroad.

Across the Atlantic and beyond, European attention intensified toward exploration and colonization. Portuguese and Castilian ventures extended along the Atlantic littorals and into broader maritime trade networks, paving the way for later imperial endeavors. The Americas had become a stage for ongoing encounters and exchanges following earlier voyages in the decade, with consequences that would unfold over subsequent years.

Culturally and scientifically, the period retained the momentum of the Renaissance. The spread of printing facilitated the circulation of ideas, and renewed interest in classical learning supported innovations in art, philosophy, and scholarship. These dynamics contributed to the broader transformations characteristic of the late 15th century and the early modern era.