Standing 40 feet tall and boasting a thickness of over 16 feet, the inner Theodosian Walls of ancient Constantinople were once thought to be impenetrable. Yet, in the year 1453, these seemingly unbreakable barriers met their match in one of the largest caliber weapons ever forged – the Ottoman Empire’s Basilic Cannon.

In the 15th Century, the development of the cannon marked a groundbreaking advancement in artillery. This colossal weapon proved to be a catalyst for military and diplomatic transformations, heralding a new epoch of siege warfare and defensive tactics.

Constructed when cannons were still in their infancy, the Basilic Cannon's massive size and historical significance assured its place in the annals of history. The cannon's tremendous power was indisputable; however, even its ambitious creator could not have foreseen the pivotal role it would play in the 1453 Siege of Constantinople...