For over a thousand years Constantinople had been under Byzantine rule. Then, in 1453, the fearless and brilliant Mehmet arrived on the scene. At the age of twenty-one, after outwitting his enemies by dragging his ships overland, he succeeded in conquering the "Queen of Cities." From then on, Constantinople became known as Istanbul and Mehmet became known as the "Conqueror". However, he was not only a conqueror: he was also a learned and cultured man who loved gardening. This is the story of the young man who conquered the city believed to be unconquerable and laid the foundations for the glorious days of Suleiman the Magnificent.