The fall of Constantinople: The Greatest tragedy of the 2nd Millineium

 The fall of Constantinople: The Greatest tragedy of the 2nd Millineium

Pre-Siege Preparations

April 1452: Construction of the Rumeli Hisarı fortress begins on the Bosphorus Strait under Mehmed II's orders, effectively blockading Constantinople from the Black Sea.

The Siege Begins April 5, 1453: Sultan Mehmed II arrives outside the walls and formally begins the siege. The outnumbered Byzantine defenders—roughly 7,000 men under Emperor Constantine XI—take up positions behind the Theodosian Walls.

April 12, 1453: The first heavy bombardment of the city's ancient walls by Ottoman cannons begins.

March 1453: The Ottoman fleet, including massive siege cannons gathers near the city.