Turgut Reis

Who was Turgut Reis?

Turgut Reis was an Ottoman Admiral and privateer who also served as Bey of Algiers; Beylerbeyi of the Mediterranean; and first Bey, later Pasha, of Tripoli. Under his naval command the Ottoman Empire's maritime power was extended across North Africa. When Turgut was serving as pasha, he adorned and built up the city of Tripoli, making it one of the most impressive cities along the North African Coast. Known in different languages under such names as Dragut or Darghouth, the name in Turkey is Turgut Reis.