1256
Hulagu destroys the Assassin strongholds
The Mongol army besieged and captured the mountain fastnesses of the Nizari Ismailis, including the legendary Alamut with its library and gardens.
Possible supernova observed by multiple cultures
Astronomers in several regions recorded the appearance of a bright new star visible in daylight for weeks.
Hulagu founds the Ilkhanate
Having taken Alamut from the Assassins, Hulagu declared himself Ilkhan, subordinate khan, of the Mongol territories in Persia and Mesopotamia.
Nasir al-Din Tusi builds the Maragheh observatory
Under Hulagu's patronage, the Persian polymath Nasir al-Din Tusi established an astronomical observatory at Maragheh in Azerbaijan, equipped with massive…
Want 1256 in context? Print the whole 13th century as a one-sheet timeline chart.
Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1256?
Saeculum lists 4 events from 1256. The most significant is Hulagu destroys the Assassin strongholds: The Mongol army besieged and captured the mountain fastnesses of the Nizari Ismailis, including the legendary Alamut with its library and gardens.
What era was 1256 part of?
1256 falls within the High Middle Ages (1000-1300). Crusades, cathedrals, and the slow waking of Europe.
Which regions saw notable events in 1256?
The events from 1256 span Middle East and East Asia.