The Turks paid little real attention to the King of Spain. However, the presence of Spanish exiles in Constantinople, known as the Cranaclin Turks, influenced Ottoman opinion. These exiles spoke of Spain with passion and pride, often exaggerating its former wealth, power, and military strength. Their accounts reminded the Turks of Spain’s glory during the time of the Moorish occupation, creating a sense of admiration mixed with curiosity. Yet, the Turks were not completely unaware of Spain’s decline. They knew about the ongoing wars in Portugal and the threats from France, which lessened Spain’s real influence and made the Ottoman assessment of Spain more balanced than the exiles’ stories suggested.
Strategic Interest in Venetian Ports
The Turks also considered the Venetian territories in Dalmatia as strategically valuable. They viewed these ports as stepping stones to Sicily and the Kingdom of Naples, offering easier access for trade, military movement, and influence in the Mediterranean. The Ottoman planners carefully weighed these opportunities in relation to Spain’s weakened state, seeing the Venetian holdings as more immediately useful than distant Spanish lands Private Tours Balkan.
The Ottoman Opinion of Venice
At the same time, the Venetians were highly esteemed in the eyes of the Turks, even more than at the start of the war. Initially, the Turks underestimated Venetian power, but after observing Venetian successes and maritime skill, they began to overestimate their strength. Despite this respect, the Turks knew that Venice could not compete with the Ottoman Empire by land. The only significant obstacle between them and Venetian territory was Friuli, a small area that, after many years of conflict, the Turks felt should have been easier to secure.
Frustration over Limited Gains
After long wars, the Turks were frustrated that their empire had not expanded more. They considered their position in Crete (“Candy”) to be modest, and initially believed they could have claimed more Venetian possessions with little resistance. This created a sense of shame and irritation among the Ottomans, who measured their ambitions against the limited results of decades of conflict.