Panorama 1453 History Museum which was opened with participation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 31st, 2009, is visited by 700 thousand people.

A visual feast awaits enthusiasts at İstanbul’s Panorama 1453 History Museum, Turkey’s first panoramic museum, which tells the story of the conquest of İstanbul by the Ottoman Empire in 1453. The museum, where almost 10,000 Ottoman and Byzantine soldiers are pictured in detail, allows visitors to experience the excitement of the conquest of İstanbul. Portraying the conquest, which marked the end of the Middle Ages, in a three-dimensional way with authentic materials, the museum enables visitors to feel as if they were traveling back in time. The three-dimensional picture is supported by impressive sound and visual effects. The ceremonial military music from the famous Ottoman Janissary Band and the sounds of gunfire and cannons make one feel as if they are in the middle of the battle. To enjoy the best view of the picture, watchers are advised to observe it at a minimum distance of 14 meters, the distance at which the three-dimensional optical illusion works best.

The inauguration ceremony of the museum was held on Jan. 31 with the participation of a number of high-level state officials, including Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, State Minister and chief EU negotiator Egemen Bağış, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay, İstanbul Governor Muammer Güler and İstanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş. The museum stands as the first of its kind in Turkey and the only full panoramic museum in the world built in a closed space.

The İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality's Kültür A.Ş. believes the Panorama 1453 History Museum will help boost İstanbul's image as a European Capital of Culture (ECOC). The Panorama 1453 History Museum is the most outstanding project to be noted when talking about İstanbul 2010 ECOC, according to museum General Manager Nevzat Bayhan. İstanbul, Turkey's largest city, will host a number of major events next year as part of the İstanbul 2010 ECOC project.