Topkapi is the place where the most difficult part of the siege of Istanbul took place, where the supposedly insurmountable walls were breached, where the blessed soldiers experienced the day they were waiting for. It is the gate of Istanbul that opens to
Panorama 1453 History Museum is a place where you will experience a significant moment in history: the day when the gates of Istanbul opened for conquest. Here, you’ll witness the dramatic moment of the Fall of Constantinople, when the seemingly impenetrable walls of the city were breached, and where the day awaited by the glorious soldiers became a reality. You will have the opportunity to touch the cannons made by the Hungarian artillery master Urban and hear the blasts of the cannons as they strike the walls of Constantinople. You might even hear the voices of Sultan Mehmed II's thousands of soldiers reciting Takbir (God is the greatest) and the Mehter Marşı (March of the Janissaries), possibly joining in with them.
The area where Kültür Park (Culture Park) is located was once the Topkapı Trakya Bus Station just 14 years ago. To the left, you’ll see the walls of Edirnekapı, in front of you lies the Topkapı Walls, the very gates through which the first Turkish soldiers entered Constantinople, and to the right, you’ll find the walls at Silivrikapı. This is where you’ll bear witness to the moment Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Fatih Sultan Mehmed, earned his title and where the conquest of Istanbul will come to life in front of you.
The heart of the panorama is a painting created on a 38-meter diameter hemisphere. The painting, which covers the inner surface of the hemisphere, spans 2,350 m². Together with the 3D object platform (650 m²) between the artwork and the visitor platform, the total area reaches a massive 3,000 m², enveloping the visitor from every angle.
The work on the panoramic painting began in 2005 and was completed in 2008. It was created by 8 artists and includes 10,000 figures. The depiction of the destroyed sections of the city walls and their sizes are based on a report submitted to Hızır Bey, the first mayor of Istanbul, regarding the repair of the walls.
What sets this panoramic artwork apart from other similar works around the world is its complete 360-degree panorama, both horizontally and vertically. A complete panorama means that the entire space, including the sky, is depicted seamlessly without boundaries or a frame, creating a sensation of endlessness. In a framed painting, no matter how realistic or deep the image may seem, the frame itself suggests distance. However, in the Panorama 1453 museum, there is no point where the painting "ends," making it impossible for viewers to judge its true dimensions. The lack of reference points like the beginning and end of the artwork creates a shock for the viewer, which lasts for about 10 seconds as they try to understand the scale and reality of the painting. Visitors feel as if they have stepped out of an enclosed space and into a three-dimensional world.
The visionary artist and cartoon director, Haşim Vatandaş, is the creator of the concept and also served as the project's coordinator.
If you look carefully at the sky, you may notice the face of Fatih Sultan Mehmet emerging among the clouds. On one side, he is depicted on horseback, riding towards the conquest of the city, while on the other side, his mentor, Ak Şemsettin, is shown with his hands raised in prayer.
Panorama 1453 History Museum is open every day of the week from 08:00 AM to 06:30 PM for visitors.
