Rais Dragut (Turgut Reis)

Turgut Reis, known throughout Europe as Dragut, was one of the most formidable naval commanders and marine cartographers in world history. Serving as chief lieutenant to Hayreddin Barbarossa in Algiers, he transformed the port into the foremost naval base in the western Mediterranean, launching daring raids to liberate enslaved Moorish populations from coastal Spain.

Dragut fortified the harbors of Algiers, Béjaïa, and Djerba, defeating imperial fleets commanded by Andrea Doria. His unparalleled mastery of marine artillery and coastal geography made him an immortal figure in Mediterranean maritime history until his heroic death in action at the Siege of Malta in 1565.