Panorama 1453 History Museum.

Panorama 1453 History Museum is open to visitors every day of the week except Mondays, from 08:30 to 16:30.

## Contact:

Website: www.panoramikmuze.com/tr / www.panoramikmuze.com/en

Address: Merkez Efendi Mahallesi, Topkapı Kültür Parkı İçi Yolu, 34015 Zeytinburnu/Istanbul
Phone: 0212 222 28 82
Fax: 0212 664 19 64

## From the Founder to the Last Ruler: Portraits of Sultans

The Panorama 1453 History Museum, which vividly recreates the conquest of Istanbul through panoramic images, sound, and illustrations, also offers visitors a chronological selection with the "Portraits of Sultans" exhibition located at the museum entrance and on the -1st floor. The exhibition, starting with Osman Gazi, the founder and first sultan of the Ottoman Empire, features the portraits of 36 sultans who ascended the throne during the establishment, rise, and later periods of the Ottoman Empire, up to the last sultan, Sultan Vahdettin. *The portraits have been taken from the Atatürk Library for display.*

## Nusret Çolpan's "Conquest in Miniatures" Exhibition Meets Visitors

The Panorama 1453 History Museum is also preparing to host the "Conquest in Miniatures" exhibition by contemporary miniaturist Nusret Çolpan. Çolpan's 8 works, themed around the Conquest, adhere to the ancient principles of miniature art while establishing his own unique style, and are available for visitors to view near the museum exit. The miniatures, created by Nusret Çolpan in 1994, 1999, and 2003, depict various scenes of the conquest of Istanbul, including the construction of fortifications, the casting of cannons, the gathering of the army, Fatih's orders, the movement of ships overland, and the entry into the city.

## Who is Nusret Çolpan?

Nusret Çolpan was born in Bandırma in 1952. During his studies at the Faculty of Architecture at Yıldız University, he took the "Turkish Decorative Arts" course with Prof. Dr. A. Süheyl Ünver and Azade Akar. He brought his own unique style and color palette to miniature art, benefiting from the discipline and perspective he gained in architecture. The influence of Matrakçı Nasuh, an artist who lived during the reign of Kanuni, can be seen in his works. The artist, who has been working on miniatures for 35 years, has approximately 300 works in various collections, including official buildings, both in Turkey and abroad. Nusret Çolpan passed away in 2008.

## About the Panorama 1453 History Museum, the World's First Full Panoramic Museum

The conquest of Istanbul was a significant event that changed the course of history. This event, which brought a new order to the world, also enriched Istanbul with its architecture, art, and culture. To truly understand this cultural heritage, which was formed through the contributions of different civilizations, it is important to understand the city's past, present, and the spirit of the conquest. The Panorama 1453 History Museum was established with this purpose in mind. The area, which was previously the Trakya Bus Terminal, was transformed into a large, green park after the terminal was relocated. The Panorama 1453 History Museum, located Located near the Edirnekapı, Topkapı, and Silivrikapı walls, next to the gate through which Fatih entered the city, the museum was established. It holds the distinction of being the world's first fully panoramic museum and has proudly welcomed visitors since its opening. ## You are invited to witness the conquest of Istanbul.

Imagine a 360-degree painting without borders, covering an area of 3,000 square meters. The most striking feature of the painting is its ability to create a three-dimensional effect when viewed. The 650 square meter section is truly three-dimensional, featuring replicas of cannons, artillery pieces, and gunpowder barrels used during the siege. The remaining 2,350 square meters consist of a two-dimensional painting that extends immediately behind the three-dimensional area. The figures in the painting, starting at human size, are meticulously detailed and gradually diminish as they recede into the distance. In total, the artwork features approximately 10,000 figures. Panoramic museums are typically created to depict specific historical events. Some of the most notable examples include the Battle of Waterloo panorama, the Crimean War panorama depicting the Russo-Turkish War, the panorama of Napoleon's Moscow campaign, the Plevna Defense panorama, and the Mesdag panorama. Many of these panoramas were created in the 19th century using oil painting techniques and were often painted on-site. Some museums feature partial panoramic views, either horizontally or vertically. The Panorama 1453 History Museum is fully panoramic, both horizontally and vertically. The sky extends seamlessly from the top of the painting, creating a dome-like effect. This creates a sense of entering an enclosed space while simultaneously feeling like you are stepping into a three-dimensional outdoor environment, as there are no clear starting or ending points to provide reference. Thanks to its panoramic ceiling, sound effects, and three-dimensional elements, the museum allows visitors to experience the excitement of the conquest of Istanbul every day of the year. ## Construction Phase

The Panorama 1453 History Museum, whose construction began in 2005 by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was completed in 2008. The museum is the result of a harmonious three-year effort by eight artists. The artist and animator Haşim Vatandaş, who conceived the idea, also coordinated the project. The team included Ramazan Erkut (responsible for the background), Yaşar Zeynalov (responsible for the figures), Oksana Legka (painter), Ahmet Kaya (storyboard), Hasan H. Dinçer (computer applications), Atilla Tunca (model), and Murat Efe (computer applications). The first year of the project was dedicated to research. Ensuring the accuracy of the artwork presented a significant challenge for the artists. The 1/10 scale model was a crucial step, allowing them to identify and correct any discrepancies. Following this, a detailed and comprehensive revision was undertaken. The level of detail to be included in the artwork was a subject of discussion among the artists. A portion of the team argued that a large amount of detail would not be visible from a distance of 14 meters. Eventually, the artists agreed to include a bit more detail, even if it wouldn't be visible from that distance. This way, a visitor who comes to the museum at different times might notice a detail they hadn't seen before. Furthermore, advancements in technology and the development of cameras will also help in perceiving details.

## Physical Space

The Panorama 1453 History Museum consists of two main sections. The first section is the route from the entrance to the panoramic painting. This route houses the permanent Panorama 1453 exhibition. The exhibition, curated by Assoc. Prof. Erhan Afyoncu and Asst. Prof. Coşkun Yılmaz, was advised by Architect M. Hilmi Şenalp, and designed by Özkul Eren. The exhibition begins with the founding of Istanbul, and depicts the siege, conquest, the life of Sultan Mehmed II, law, art, civilization, culture, and the construction activities in Istanbul. It features original miniatures, engravings, and paintings, alongside modern miniature works that depict the conquest from a contemporary perspective. At the end of the exhibition, the entrance to the platform where the panoramic painting is located begins. After a short, dark corridor, visitors suddenly find themselves experiencing the dawn of May 29, 1453, and almost witnessing the moment of entry into the city. The painting, created under the direction of Haşim Vatandaş, and by a group of artists including Ramazan Erkut, Ahmet Kaya, Oksana Legka, Yaşar Zeynalov, Hasan H. Dinçer, Atilla Tunca, and Murat Efe, is painted on a hemisphere with a diameter of 38 meters. The painting covers the inner surface of the hemisphere, covering 2350 square meters, and extends to 650 square meters, encompassing the visitor platform and surrounding the visitor from all sides. This painting is what distinguishes and elevates the Panorama 1453 History Museum from other panoramic museums in the world. While a framed painting, no matter how much depth and three-dimensional perception it creates, can always be understood to be at a certain distance because its frame or border is visible. In the work at the Panorama 1453 History Museum, there is no defined end to the painting, so the viewer cannot grasp the true dimensions of the artwork due to their optical habits. When the visitor steps onto the platform, they experience a shock that lasts for about 10 seconds. This is the surprise caused by the inability to find reference points, beginnings, and endings that would allow them to understand the reality and dimensions of the painting. This place gives the feeling of entering an enclosed space, yet somehow exiting into a three-dimensional outdoor space. The painting platform at the Panorama 1453 museum is unique among its counterparts worldwide because it is a true panorama. Here, the visitor relives and understands the spirit and the day, accompanied by the sounds of thousands of soldiers chanting "Allahu Akbar" and the sounds of the Mehter March, under the leadership of Sultan II. Mehmed. The painting features 10,000 figures. A painting with a frame and borders, no matter how much depth and three-dimensionality it evokes, allows you to understand its distance from you as long as you can see the frame or borders. In the "Istanbul 1453 Panoramic Museum," because there is no defined end to the painting, the viewer will not be able to grasp the true dimensions of the work due to their optical habits. The viewer experiences a shock for about 10 seconds upon stepping onto the platform. This is the bewilderment of not being able to find reference points, beginnings, and endings that would allow them to understand the reality and dimensions of the painting. This creates a feeling in the person, as if they have entered an enclosed space, but somehow emerged into an open, three-dimensional environment.

## Physical Location

The location where the Panorama 1453 History Museum was built is also a significant choice. It is located in the area where the Thrace Bus Terminal used to be in Topkapi, and today it is within the Topkapi Cultural Park, at a point that witnessed the first entry of soldiers into the city. When viewed from the museum's location, the Edirnekapi walls are on the left, the Topkapi walls are across, representing the first operation that transformed Constantinople into Islambol and then Istanbul, and the Silivrikapi walls are on the right. Within the museum, people of all ages can experience the conquest in the most effective way, examining these "few steps away" walls, breathing in the atmosphere of the areas where the army was stationed, and enjoying the opportunity to rest and have fun within the Topkapi Cultural Park where the museum is located.

## Souvenirs

The souvenir shop at the Panorama 1453 History Museum offers Istanbul books and souvenirs related to Istanbul, available for the enjoyment of both local and foreign tourists.
Phone: 0 212 415 14 53 – 0 212 415 14 (1457)

Istanbul Bookstore: www.istanbulkitapcisi.com

## Pricing:

For a quick, secure, and convenient visit, only credit/bank cards and Istanbul cards will be accepted at the museum entrances.
Local Visitors: 330 TL
Foreign Visitors: 900 TL
Students, Teachers, and Military Personnel: 90 TL

* Our institution is not affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, so the Museum Card is not valid.
* Since the platform where the panoramic painting is displayed is not suitable for strollers, we kindly request that you leave your strollers at the museum entrance to ensure a quality experience for you, your children, and other visitors.
* You can purchase tickets for the Panorama 1453 History Museum at the museum entrances or from here.
Source: kultur.istanbul — https://kultur.istanbul/panorama-1453-muzesi/