Following are timelines of the history of Ottoman Syria, taken as the parts of Ottoman Syria provinces under Ottoman rule. Timeline of history of the parts of Ottoman Syria under Ottoman rule 16th century July 1516 – Selim I of the Ottoman Empire declares war on the Mameluks and invades Syria. 1517: The Ottoman Empire captures Jerusalem after Sultan Selim I defeats the last Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghawri at the Battle of Marj Dabiq the previous year. Selim proclaims himself Caliph of the Islamic world. 1535–1538: Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem. 1541: Ottoman Sultan Suleiman I sealed off the Golden Gate to prevent the Jewish Messiah's entrance. 14 January 1546: A devastating earthquake shook the Levant. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Jordan River in a location between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Gaza and Damascus were heavily damaged. 17th century 1604: First Protectorate of missions agreed under the Capitulations of the Ottoman Empire, in which Ahmad I agreed that the subjects of Henry IV of France were free to visit the Holy Places of Jerusalem. French missionaries begin to travel to Jerusalem and other major Ottoman cities. 1610: the first Arabic printing press in the Arab world founded in Dayr-Qazahya by Maronite monks. 1622: Fakhr ad-Din al-Ma'ni, prince of Shouf in Mount Lebanon, defeats at the Battle of Anjar an army led by the Wali (governor) of Damascus Mustafa Pasha. 1624: occupied with threat from the Safavids of Iran, the Ottomans agree to make Fakhr ad-Din governor over a region extending from Aleppo to Arish. During his rule, Fakhr ad-Din initiates political and cultural relations with Europe. 1633: the Wali of Damascus Ahmed Pasha leads a campaign against Fakhr ad-Din from both land and sea. 1635: Fakhr ad-Din is hanged in Damascus. 1663-5: Sabbatai Zevi, founder of the Sabbateans, preaches in Jerusalem before travelling back to his native Smyrna where he proclaimed himself the Messiah 18th century 1700: Judah the Pious with 1,000 followers settle in Jerusalem. 30 October 1759: A devastating earthquake shook Galilee. The epicenter of the earthquake was in the Jordan River in a location between the Sea of Galilee and the Hula Valley. The cities of Safed, Tiberias, Acre, Sidon were heavily damaged. 3–7 March 1799: Napoleonic Wars: Siege of Jaffa – Napoleon captures the city of Jaffa. 20