On May 29, 1453, Constantinople, the capital of the dwindling Byzantine Empire, was conquered by Sultan Mehmed of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans breached the city’s ancient walls after a 55-day siege, using cannons to bombard the formidable defences.
The fall of Constantinople removed a crucial defense for Christian Europe against Muslim invasion and allowed for the expansion of the Ottoman Empire into eastern Europe. The Byzantine Empire had been in decline for some time, with its holdings reduced to Constantinople and its surrounding areas. The city’s population had significantly decreased, and its relations with Europe had soured over the centuries.
In contrast, the Ottoman Turks had already gained control over much of the Balkans and Anatolia, making Constantinople their next target.
However, only Venice and Genoa provided military support. Constantinople’s defences were formidable, with walls that had never been breached before. Despite a small fighting force, the defenders believed they could repel the Ottoman forces with the city’s strong fortifications and naval defences. However, without sufficient outside support, Constantinople’s defenders faced a challenging situation.
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