The fall of Constantinople in 1453 marks a significant historical event, as it marked the end of the Byzantine Empire and established Ottoman dominance in southeastern Europe. Led by Sultan Mehmed II, the Ottoman forces besieged the city, which had been a center of Christianity and culture for over a millennium. The fall of Constantinople is often considered a turning point in history, symbolizing the shift from the medieval to the modern era. It led to increased trade routes, the spread of Islam, and significant geopolitical changes in Europe and the previously Christian-dominated Mediterranean region.