THE INSURMOUNTABLE CITY WALLS
OF ISTANBUL
The magic and attraction of
Istanbul led to a fierce determination to capture the city. However, until 1453
the city walls of Istanbul checked the onslaughts of countless enemies that
surrounded the city. In a sense the thousand year long life of Byzantium was
due to its majestic city walls, which were one of the finest examples of Middle
Age’s military architecture.
The city walls built during
the reign of Constantine, which marked the boundaries of present day
Sultanahmet and its environs, gradually became too small for a bustling city
and its increasing population. In 415, only 120 years after the foundation of
the original walls, the Theodosia walls marking the historical peninsula were
built. These walls, which can be seen extending from the shores of the Halic to
the shores of the Sea of Marmara, were built by the Emperor Theodosius; however,
they were repaired extensively over the centuries.
The construction was sturdiest
in the land walls, since the threat deemed lesser; the sea walls were not
fortified as strongly as the land walls.
Now the city walls from the
Halic to the Sea of Marmara would accompany your sightseeing route to another part of Istanbul which was
silent witnesses to thousands of years and wars. The strongest and most
insurmountable parts of Istanbul city walls are the land walls extending from
the Sea of Marmara to the Halic.
As the Sea of Marmara provided an important
protection, the sea walls were not deemed to be as strong as the land walls. As
the land walls would face the staunchest attacks, they were designed and built
to be as strong and enduring as possible. The sightseeing tour along city walls
gives you a chance to visit some important buildings, including some famous
Byzantine ones.
Our excursion starts the point
where the city walls meet the Golden Horn. The first place to visit is ATIK
USTAFA PASHA MOSQUE. This was a church before the conquest, however the name
and history of the old church is disputed. Some believe it was the church built
for Saints Peter and Mark in the 5th century, while others believe
it was the Hagia Thekla Church built in the 19th century.
Amid the well preserved part
of the city walls stands the TEKFUR SARAYI (the Palace of the
Porphyrogenitues).
It is the only surviving part of Palace of Blachernae; therefore,
this three storey palace has an important place in art history. Although it was
built as early as the 5th century, it became the main residence of
the Byzantine emperors at around the 12th centuy. During the Ottoman
Period it was put to diverse and curious uses such as glass manufactured and
even as a pen for royal giraffes.
The next Byzantine landmark to
visit is the KARIYE MUSEUM. The name “ Kariye” derives from “ Chor”, which
means outside the city walls. The district was thus known before the land walls
were built.
Although it was used for a while as a mosque, the magnificent
mosaics and frescoes were not damaged. They were only covered with whitewash. They
were discovered in mid-20th century and restored to reveal their
original majesty. The church building dates back to the 12th
century, but the frescoes and mosaics are from the 14th century.
They represent the peak reached by Byzantine art before the European
Renaissance.
The frescoes are among the finest examples of Byzantine art to be
found anywhere in the world. They depict stories from the Bible as well as the
life of Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Over the entrance door to the naos is the
scene depicting Theodoros Metokhites offering the church to Jesus Christ –one
of the few non biblical scenes. A similar scene can also be found in Ayasoya.
One of the prominent gates on
the land walls is Edirne Kapi (Gate of Polyandrion). Next to the Erdirne Kapi is
the MIHRIMAH SULTAN MOSQUE, one of the finest mosques built by imperial
architect Mimar Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and there are several buildings
in various districts of Istanbul devoted to her. As it was built on a terrace
it can be seen from quite far away. In order to let in a good deal of natural
light the walls of the mosque are pierced by a number of windows.
When you pass through Belgrad
Gate and approach the Sea of Marmara you come to the most famous section of the
city walls, the Yedikule Hisari The most splendid o all 55 gates on the city
walls during the Byzantine Period was the Altin Kapi (Golden Gate), the gate
where the emperors and armies entered the city triumphantly after returning
from a victorious military campaign.
After the Ottoman conquest Sultan Mehmet
the Conqueror added a fortress strengthened with towers here, which came to be
known as the Yedikule Fortress ( Fortress with Seven Towers) The Byzantine name
, “ GOLDEN GATE” , came from the gilding on its facade. The Ottomans added 5
towers to the existing 2 towers and formed a citadel which was later used as a
storage area, then part of the treasury and later as a prison.
The layout of
the fortress resembles a 5 pointed star and its dungeons which were used as a
prison for high ranking officials during the Ottoman Period. It is now open the
public, with a permanent exhibition in the courtyard, including the canon balls
and other artefacts.The courtyard is also a venue for open air concerts during
the summer months. If you are not too tired, you may wish to continue along the
shores of the Sea of Marmara to YENIKAPI.The archaeological excavations of the
Yenikapi area unearthed artefacts that shed light on the 8000 year of history
of Istanbul.
ered to be highly important as they shed light on the Byzantine and Ottoman periods.The Theosodius Port of Yenikapi was built by Emperor Theodosius Port of Yenikapi was built by Emperor Th
In particular, the sunken boats of Yenikapi and other relics of
the ancient port are consideoodosius I at the
end of the 4th century and remained in use until the 14th century.
Other important finds are the foundation line of the sea walls built under the
Emperor Constantine.In addition, the ruins of Elefterion, one of the oldest
ports of Istanbul built during the Byzantine Period, were also uncovered there.
So if you are keen to learn more about the Byzantine history you should more
about the Byzantine history you should certainly visit Yenikapi.