Turkey celebrated the 573rd anniversary of the fall of Constantinople on a large scale

Turkey held celebrations marking the 573rd anniversary of the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The central event of the commemoration was the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the prayer at the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, which emphasized the historical and religious significance of the event for the modern Turkish Republic.

According to Orthodox Times, this year’s celebrations coincided with the third day of the Eid al-Adha holiday. President Erdogan personally read passages from the Quran in the cathedral before addressing reporters. “Today, May 29, we had the opportunity to offer prayers at the Hagia Sophia Cathedral. It was on this day that Mehmed the Conqueror entered here and prayed with the people of Constantinople. This is an event of exceptional beauty, ” the Turkish leader said, noting the excellent turnout of citizens.

One of the most massive events was the “March of Conquest” that took place in Istanbul. Thousands of people of different ages marched in a column from Beyazıt Square to the Hagia Sophia Cathedral with national flags and banners to the accompaniment of traditional military bands. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul’s office noted that “tens of thousands of the city’s residents united as one under the glorious Turkish banner.”

The program of the celebrations also included a large-scale event at the Halic Congress Center titled “From the Conquest of Constantinople to the Conquest of Hearts,” which was attended by the head of state. In addition, an aerial demonstration by the SOLOTÜRK aviation group took place over Yenikapı Square, while historical reenactments and religious ceremonies were held across the country. Official Ankara has positioned the anniversary of the city’s capture as a key symbol of Ottoman and Turkish heritage, combining national pride and spiritual traditions.