The Panorama 1453 Historical Museum is a historical museum in Istanbul that
was opened on January 31, 2009; designed to educate people about events that happened 560 years ago.
The museum keeps memories of the conquest by the Ottoman Islamic leader, Mehmet II (Al­Fatih). Leading an
army of 80,000 soldiers, Al­Fatih took over Constantinople, following a siege that lasted for a long time.
Saleh Doughan, the museum manager, told KUNA that this museum is practically "an immense painting that makes a visitor sense being overwhelmed with memories of historical events," indicating at the painted pieces
about the battles that occurred at the time.
It is intended to make the visitors re­live details of the historic events, namely the battle waged by Al­Fatih's
army to seize the heavily­fortified city.
The half­circular building is made up of three floors, topped by a gallery hosting the gigantic panoramic displays,
with 3D photographs of eminent historic heroes. The displayed paintings and items also depict old panoramic
views, drilling of wells, ancient cannons and grenades used by Al­Fatih's army.
Its proceeds are estimated at USD half a million and lures one million tourists per annum.
After the loss of its territory, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire was reduced to just its capital city and its
environs, eventually falling to the Ottomans in 1453. Following the Muslim conquest, the former bastion of
Christianity in the east, Constantinople, was turned into the Islamic capital of the Ottoman Empire, under which
it prospered and flourished again. After the founding of the modern Republic of Turkey, the successor state of
the Ottoman Empire, the city was renamed Istanbul in 1923.
Source: KUNA