·Moldova victory·land battle·valley, Racova marsh, Bârlad forest·Approximate site
Map Placement
Approximate site. The pin marks a locally accepted site or a nearby anchor point, not a survey-grade position.
Near Vaslui city at Podul Înalt (High Bridge) over Bârlad River
Coordinate source: latitude.to + Wikimapia battle site
Background
The Ottoman Empire sent a massive army to punish Moldova 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
Illustration or map of Vaslui in Moldavia, related to the 1475 battle. (c. 1475) — Anonimu at English Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Considered Stefan's masterpiece. Ottoman-Wallachian-Tatar army invaded Moldova 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 Moldova and the Ottoman governor of Rumelia, Hadım Suleiman Pasha. The battle took place at Podul Înalt, near the town of Vaslui, in Moldova. 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.
Pope Sixtus IV acclaimed Stephen as "Christ's Athlete
Historical Record
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.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.Fortress in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine (c. 2004) — Ірина Пустиннікова. CC BY-SA 3.0.Map of the Ottoman Empire standard used by forces defeated at the Battle of Vaslui. (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.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.Tablou, sculptură în lemn „Vaslui – 1475”. Lucrarea prezintă bătălia de la Podul Înalt, în plan central Ștefan cel Mare și armata sa atacând armata otomană. Lucrare atribuită lui Colbu Gh. Tablou ofer — National Museum of Romanian History. 4.0.
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.
What was the outcome of 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.
