The Battle of Lepanto - A Sea Battle between Christians and Barbary Corsairs, 1615-20. The Battle of Lepanto was fought between the Holy League, a coalition of Catholic Mediterranean states, and the Turkish Ottoman Empire on 7th October 1571. The Holy League force, led by Don Juan de Austria (1547-78), were victorious against the Ottoman force including Barbary Corsairs led by Muezzinzade Ali Pasha. This was the last great sea battle involving oared vessels and the largest battle of galleys since Actium in 30BC.