Erdoğan opens renovated tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror
A handout photo made available by the Presidential Press Office shows President Recep Tayyip Erdou011fan, left, attending an opening ceremony of Fatih Sultan Mehmed tomb at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, May 30, 2018.


President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday attended the opening of the renovated tomb of Ottoman ruler Sultan Mehmed II, known for his conquest of Istanbul in 1453.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Numan Kurtulmuş and Istanbul Governor Vasip Şahin accompanied Erdoğan during the ceremony in the yard of the historic Fatih Mosque.

Following a group prayer at the new tomb, the president thanked everyone involved in the renovation for their contributions.

Erdoğan then toured around the tomb as he was briefed by officials on restoration works, which have been in progress for nearly four years.

On Tuesday, Turkey marked 565 years since Sultan Mehmed II's great conquest, which earned him the title of "Fatih" (the Conqueror).

Mehmed II ruled as Ottoman sultan from 1444 to 1446 and from 1451 until his death in 1481.