The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7, 1571, and was a significant naval engagement between the forces of the Holy League, a coalition of Christian states, and the Ottoman Empire. The battle occurred in the Gulf of Patras, off the coast of Greece, and was primarily fought to curb Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. The Holy League, led by Don Juan of Austria, achieved a decisive victory, marking a turning point in the struggle between Christian Europe and the Ottoman Empire. This battle is often seen as a symbol of Christian unity and resistance against Ottoman dominance in the region.