[75222] Istanbul marks 573 years since its conquest: Erdogan leads the celebrations and hits out at critics

Istanbul marks 573 years since its conquest

Turkey marked on May 29, 2026, the 573rd anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453. The events, which were extensively covered by government and pro-government media outlets such as TRT Haber and A Haber, included festive parades, fireworks displays, and aerial shows by F-16 jets and SOLOTÜRK over the Bosphorus, as reported by Türk Savunma Sanayi Haberleri.

At the center of the events was President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who held Friday prayers at the Hagia Sophia Mosque, where he also recited verses from the Quran. According to TRT Haber, the President emphasized that Turkey will continue to protect the city as a trust of Sultan Mehmed. Erdogan used the stage to sharply attack those who had previously called for a change in the status of the Hagia Sophia, calling them "intolerant" people who are unable to come to terms with the voice of the muezzin or the recitation of the Quran, according to a report by Daily Islamist.

The events were accompanied by a distinct nationalist tone. In a message published on Said Ercan Resmî, the conquest was described not merely as a change of rule in the city, but as a defining moment that changed the course of history and the fate of humanity. At the same time, political figures and bodies, including Deputy Speaker of Parliament Celal Adan, emphasized that Istanbul is "the seal that the Turkish people left on the pages of history" (according to Haber Gündem).

While state media emphasized the spirit of unity and celebration, an effort to highlight the Islamic identity of the event was clearly identifiable. A Haber reported on the President's intentions to continue with celebratory events at the Haliç Congress Center, promising the public that "tonight Istanbul will be more beautiful than ever."