The Ottoman Empire sent a massive army to punish Moldavia for Stefan's refusal to pay tribute and his interference in Wallachian politics. Stefan prepared the battlefield for months in advance.
Campaign: Great Ottoman-Moldavian War 1475–1476
Forces Engaged
Voronet last judgment — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2006) — No machine-readable author provided. Alejo2083 assumed (based on copyright claims).. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Victor
Moldova
Commander: Ștefan cel Mare
Strength:40,000
Defeated
Ottoman Empire
Commander: Hadâmbul (Hadım Suleiman Pasha, Beylerbey of Rumelia)
Strength:120,000
The Battle
Map of the Battle of Vaslui showing troop movements and Stefan cel Mare's ambush positions (c. 2011) — Bogdan, Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Considered Stefan's masterpiece. Ottoman-Wallachian-Tatar army invaded Moldavia in winter. Stefan chose ground near Vaslui (now Podul Înalt) — a valley flanked by the Racova marsh and Bârlad forest. Heavy fog concealed Moldavian positions. Light infantry harassed Ottomans into the marsh; Stefan's cavalry struck both flanks. Ottoman army routed; pursuit lasted two weeks. Hadım Suleiman Pasha fled. Pope Sixtus IV called Stefan "Athlete of Christ."
The Battle of Vaslui was a battle that was fought on 10 January 1475, between Stephen III of Moldavia and the Ottoman governor of Rumelia, Hadım Suleiman Pasha. The battle took place at Podul Înalt, near the town of Vaslui, in Moldavia. The Ottoman troops numbered up to 30,000 or 120,000, facing about 40,000 Moldavian troops, plus smaller numbers of allied and mercenary troops.
“"This Stephan... has killed the enemy and gained a great victory. We think he is worthy of the highest praise among all the princes of the world." — Pope Sixtus IV, letter to European rulers, 1475
Casualties & Outcome
5,000
Moldova
casualties
40,000
Ottoman Empire
casualties
Ottoman-Tatar casualties estimated 40,000; Moldavian losses approximately 5,000
Moldova achieved victory over Ottoman Empire.
After the battle, Stephen sent "four of the captured Turkish commanders, together with thirty-six of their standards and much splendid booty, to King Casimir in Poland", and implored him to provide troops and money to support the Moldavians in the struggle against the Ottomans. He also sent letters and a few prisoners and Turkish standards to the Pope and Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus, asking for support. In response, "the arrogant Matthias writes to the Pope, the Emperor and other kings and princes, telling them that he has defeated a large Turkish army with his own forces under the Voivode of Wallachia".
Historical Record
Portrait of Ștefan cel Mare — National Museum of History of Moldova (c. 1930) — Unknown author. Public domain.Stefan cel Mare votive portrait at Humor Monastery (c. 2007) — Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0.Bellini, Gentile - Sultan Mehmet II — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 1480) — Gentile Bellini. Public domain.Map of the w:Battle of Vaslui, showing major movements and attacks. (c. 2011) — Bogdan derivative work: Rafy. CC BY-SA 3.0.Fortress in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine (c. 2004) — Ірина Пустиннікова. CC BY-SA 3.0.Vaslui in Moldavia, 1475 AD (c. 2005) — Anonimu at English Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0.Flag of the Ottoman Empire (crwflags.com) (c. 2007) — Guilherme Paula. Public domain.Coat of arms of Wallachia (c. 2010) — Seneslav. CC BY 3.0.Vaslui XVe — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2006) — The original uploader was Viteazul at French Wikipedia.. CC BY-SA 3.0.Author: notafish - Delphine Ménard Source: self drawn. (c. 2009) — Plume_pen_w.png: notafish - Delphine Ménard derivative work: Chamberlain2007 (talk). CC BY-SA 3.0.Coa Hungary Country History (14th century) — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2025) — Unknown. Public domain.Humorstefan — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) — Unknown. CC BY-SA 3.0.Stamp of Romania; 1975; commemorative stamp of the series "500 anniversary of the Battle of Virsiu"; This Battle marks the vicory of Stephan the Great over the Turks in the Battle at Vaslui (on the 10 (c. 1975) — "Posta Romana". Public domain.Vaslui 15cMD hu — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2023) — User:Anonimu. CC BY-SA 3.0.Flag of the Ottoman Empire (crwflags.com) (c. 2007) — Guilherme Paula. Public domain.Coat of arms of Wallachia (c. 2010) — Seneslav. CC BY 3.0.Vaslui XVe — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2006) — The original uploader was Viteazul at French Wikipedia.. CC BY-SA 3.0.Author: notafish - Delphine Ménard Source: self drawn. (c. 2009) — Plume_pen_w.png: notafish - Delphine Ménard derivative work: Chamberlain2007 (talk). CC BY-SA 3.0.Coa Hungary Country History (14th century) — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2025) — Unknown. Public domain.Humorstefan — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) — Unknown. CC BY-SA 3.0.Stamp of Romania; 1975; commemorative stamp of the series "500 anniversary of the Battle of Virsiu"; This Battle marks the vicory of Stephan the Great over the Turks in the Battle at Vaslui (on the 10 (c. 1975) — "Posta Romana". Public domain.Vaslui 15cMD hu — related to Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) (1475) (c. 2023) — User:Anonimu. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Significance & Legacy
One of the greatest military victories in Romanian history. Largest defeat inflicted on the Ottomans by a Romanian ruler. Led to Mehmed II's personal retaliatory invasion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt)?
The Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt) took place in 1475. Jan 10, 1475.
Who won the Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt)?
The Moldova were victorious against the Ottoman Empire.
What was the significance of the Battle of Vaslui (Battle of Podul Înalt)?
One of the greatest military victories in Romanian history. Largest defeat inflicted on the Ottomans by a Romanian ruler. Led to Mehmed II's personal retaliatory invasion.
