HistoryData
war1815

1815 siege during the Neapolitan War

May 1, 1815

The last major Italian city to fall in the Neapolitan War, its surrender ended French resistance in Eastern Italy and helped dismantle Murat's proposed Bonaparte monarchy.

Quick Facts

Year
1815
Category
war

Key Facts

Siege start date
5 May 1815
Siege end date
30 May 1815
Duration
25 days days
Conflict context
Neapolitan War / One Hundred Days campaign
Strategic significance
Last major Italian city to surrender

By the Numbers

5
Siege start date
30
Siege end date
25days
Duration

Location

Map of Ancona, ItalyMap of Ancona, ItalyAncona, Italy

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Following the defeat of Joachim Murat's Neapolitan forces at the Battle of Tolentino on 3 May 1815, French-aligned troops retreated to Ancona, the last significant Italian stronghold still under Napoleonic control during the One Hundred Days campaign.

Event

Beginning on 5 May 1815, an Anglo-Austrian alliance besieged Ancona, where Napoleon's forces had taken refuge. The siege lasted 25 days, concluding on 30 May 1815 with the city's surrender, marking it as the final major Italian city to fall during the Neapolitan War.

Consequence

The fall of Ancona expelled French forces from Eastern Italy, effectively ending the Neapolitan War in the Italian peninsula. It contributed to the collapse of Murat's proposed Bonaparte monarchy and facilitated the restoration and establishment of the Papal State in the region.

Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis

Side A

1 belligerent

Napoleonic France / Kingdom of Naples (Murat)

Side B

1 belligerent

Anglo-Austrian Alliance
Outcome
Anglo-Austrian victory; Ancona surrendered on 30 May 1815, ending French presence in Eastern Italy.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 181518151812181318141816181718181815 eruption of Mount Tambora — catastrophic volcanic eruption in present-day IndonesiaUnification of Italy — creation of the politically and administratively integrated nation of Italy (1815–1871)1815 treaties between the United States and AlgeriaOttoman battle in Hejaz, 19th centuryCongress of Vienna — conference of ambassadors of European states (September/November 1814 to June 1815)Capture of HMS CyaneBattle of the Neapolitan WarSecond Serbian Uprising — 1815–1817 revolt in Serbia against the Ottoman Empiresiege-of-ancona-1815