Törökvész

Törökvész, meaning "Turkish Peril" or "Turkish Danger" in Hungarian, refers to a period of significant Ottoman expansion and its perceived threat to the Kingdom of Hungary and Central Europe. This era, primarily spanning the 16th and early 17th centuries, was characterized by frequent warfare, territorial disputes, and the division of Hungarian lands.

The Battle of Mohács in 1526 is often considered a pivotal event marking the intensification of the Törökvész. The Ottoman victory led to the death of King Louis II and the fragmentation of the Kingdom of Hungary. The country subsequently fell under three distinct administrations: Ottoman-controlled territory, the Habsburg-ruled Royal Hungary, and the semi-independent Principality of Transylvania.

This period saw numerous military campaigns, sieges, and raids by Ottoman forces aiming to consolidate their control and further advance into Europe. Hungarian nobles and rulers, often allied with European powers like the Habsburg Monarchy, engaged in continuous resistance and counter-offensives. The struggle for survival and sovereignty profoundly shaped Hungarian national identity and its political landscape. The eventual decline of Ottoman military power and the successful campaigns of the Holy League in the late 17th century, culminating in the recapture of Buda in 1686, gradually ended the Törökvész. The legacy of this era remains a significant theme in Hungarian history and collective memory.