About the World's First Fully Panoramic Museum: Panorama 1453 History Museum
The conquest of Istanbul is one of the significant events 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 fully appreciate this cultural heritage, formed by the contributions of different civilizations, it is essential to understand the city's past, present, and the spirit of the conquest. Panorama 1453 History Museum was established for this purpose. The area where the Thrace Bus Terminal was located was transformed into a large green park after the terminal was relocated. Panorama 1453 History Museum opened in 2009 in this lush, tree-and-flower-adorned space now named Topkapı Culture Park.
Located near the Edirnekapı, Topkapı, and Silivrikapı walls, where the most important moments of the conquest took place, and next to the gate where Fatih entered the city, the museum holds the distinction of being the world's first fully panoramic museum. Since its opening, it has proudly hosted visitors with this well-deserved title.
Imagine a limitless 360-degree painting within a 3,000 square meter area. The primary feature of this painting is its three-dimensional effect when viewed. A 650 square meter portion of the painting is truly three-dimensional, featuring replicas of cannons, cannon carriages, and gunpowder barrels used during the siege. The remaining 2,350 square meters of two-dimensional painting are located just behind the three-dimensional area. Figures start at human size and gradually diminish in size towards the horizon, meticulously detailed in every aspect. The artwork contains approximately 10,000 figures in total.
Panoramic museums are typically created to depict specific historical events. The most notable examples include the Panorama of the Battle of Waterloo, the Panorama of the Crimean War depicting the Ottoman-Russian War, the Panorama of Napoleon’s Battle of Moscow, the Panorama of the Defense of Pleven, and the Mesdag Panorama. Most of these panoramas were painted in the 1800s using oil painting techniques and were created at the actual locations of the events. Some were designed horizontally, while others were vertically, making them semi-panoramic museums. Panorama 1453 History Museum is fully panoramic in both horizontal and vertical planes. The sky extends seamlessly in a dome shape from the top of the painting. This design creates the illusion of stepping into a three-dimensional outdoor space despite being indoors, as there are no reference points like a beginning or end to grasp the reality and dimensions.
With 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.
The construction of Panorama 1453 History Museum began in 2005 by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and was completed in 2008.
The Panorama 1453 History Museum was created through the harmonious work of eight artists over three years. The idea came from painter and animation director Haşim Vatandaş, who also coordinated the project. The team included Ramazan Erkut (background), Yaşar Zeynalov (responsible for figures), Oksana Legka (painter), Ahmet Kaya (storyboard), Hasan H. Dinçer (computer application), Atilla Tunca (model), and Murat Efe (computer application).
The first year of work was spent on research. Ensuring the painting's accuracy with historical facts was a significant challenge for the artists. A 1/10 scale model was an essential step, allowing the team to identify any missing elements. This was followed by a detailed process where everything was redone from scratch. There was considerable discussion among the artists about the level of detail to be included.
Some team members argued that many details would not be visible from a distance of 14 meters. Eventually, the artists agreed to include more detail, even if it might not be visible from 14 meters away. This way, a visitor might notice different details on subsequent visits to the museum. Additionally, advancing technology and improved cameras will help in perceiving these details.
The Panorama 1453 History Museum consists of two main sections. The first section is the route that starts from the entrance and leads to the panoramic painting. This route includes the permanent exhibition of Panorama 1453.
The exhibition, prepared by Associate Professor Dr. Erhan Afyoncu and Assistant Professor Dr. Coşkun Yılmaz, with the consultancy of Architect M. Hilmi Şenalp and the design by Özkul Eren, covers the history of Istanbul from its foundation, the siege and conquest of Istanbul, the life of Fatih Sultan Mehmed, law, art, civilization, culture, and the construction activities of Istanbul. The exhibition showcases original miniatures, engravings, and paintings depicting wars, presenting a modern interpretation of the conquest from a contemporary perspective. At the end of the exhibition, where modern miniatures depict the conquest, the entrance to the platform with the panoramic painting begins. At the end of a short and dark corridor, visitors suddenly feel themselves at dawn on May 29, 1453, witnessing the moment of entering the city.
The painting, drawn by a group of artists consisting of Haşim Vatandaş, Ramazan Erkut, Ahmet Kaya, Oksana Legka, Yaşar Zeynalov, Hasan H. Dinçer, Atilla Tunca, and Murat Efe, is created on a 38-meter diameter half-sphere. The painting covers the inner surface of the half-sphere, measuring 2350 square meters, and reaches a size of 650 square meters between the painting and the visitor platform, encompassing the visitor from all directions.
What sets the Panorama 1453 History Museum apart from other panoramic museums in the world is this painting. Although a framed painting with borders can create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality, its distance can be perceived because its frame or border can be seen. In the work at Panorama 1453 History Museum, there is no specific point where the painting ends, so the viewer cannot grasp the true dimensions of the artwork based on optical habits. When visitors step onto the platform, they experience a shock lasting about 10 seconds. This is due to the astonishment of not being able to find any reference points such as the beginning and end that would enable them to grasp the reality and dimensions of the painting. Despite entering a closed space, visitors feel as if they have stepped back into a three-dimensional outdoor space. Being a complete panorama sets Panorama 1453 apart from other examples worldwide, allowing visitors to rediscover and comprehend the spirit and day of Sultan Mehmed II with the sounds of his thousands of soldiers and the Ottoman military bands (Mehter).
The painting contains 10,000 figures. Regardless of how much depth and three-dimensional sensation a framed painting with borders evokes, if you can see its frame or border, you can understand how far it hangs from you. In the work at the "Istanbul 1453 Panoramic Museum," there is no specific point where the painting ends, so the viewer cannot grasp the true dimensions of the artwork based on optical habits. When viewers step onto the platform, they experience a shock lasting about 10 seconds. This astonishment arises from the confusion of not being able to find reference points such as the beginning and end that would allow them to grasp the reality and dimensions of the painting.
Despite entering a closed space, visitors feel as if they have stepped back into a three-dimensional outdoor space.
The area where the Panorama 1453 History Museum is constructed is also a meaningful choice. The museum is located in Topkapi, where the Trakya Bus Terminal used to be in the past, and now it stands within the Topkapi Cultural Park, at a point that witnesses the first entry points of the soldiers into the city. When viewed from the museum's location, the Edirnekapi walls can be seen on the left side, the Topkapi walls (which made Istanbul Constantinople, Islambol, and Istanbul) and the gate where the first Ottoman army entered the city can be seen in front, and the Silivrikapi walls can be seen on the right side. Visitors of all ages, from young to old, can experience the conquest event most effectively here. They can examine these walls from a distance of just a few steps, breathe the air in the areas where the Ottoman army camped, and also have the opportunity to relax and have fun within the Topkapi Cultural Park where the museum is located.
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