Tag Archives: Constantinople

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Mobilization in Constantinople for the city walls

Eminent Byzantine scholars react to the construction of a multi-storey building in their place

The mobilization is unprecedented in Turkish history 50 of prominent Turkish Byzantine scholars for the protection of the history of Constantinople on the occasion of the construction of a multi-storey building on the Byzantine walls of the city. The scientists, specialists in Byzantine history, art, of architecture and archeology appeal to the officials and residents of Istanbul to prevent the destruction of its historical heritage. Because as they mention in their text "The underground and above ground monuments of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman period located in the old city do not belong only to Turkey. As can be seen from their presence on the list of World Heritage Sites, they are important for the whole world".

The issue concerns the Sultanahmet area, in a building block of which, when the newer buildings were demolished a few months ago, walls belonging to the Byzantine and Pro-Byzantine periods were discovered in their foundations. Despite the contrary report of the Archaeological Museum of Constantinople on the subject last December, from the beginning of February, construction of a five-story building began on the site. The Protection Committee also had an opposing opinion, while the officials of the Fatih municipality, where the plots belong, repeatedly carried out inspections and the construction site was sealed twice. Nevertheless, the construction of the building continued. New decision, this time from the Ministry of Culture of Turkey with a date 8 ordered the demolition of the newly erected building. Whether it will happen is unknown, just as the fate of the walls, which were probably destroyed, is also unknown. “In the future, the first promotion of the importance of an issue instead of trying to solve it after a holiday will prevent the destruction of other historical works", scientists point out, who also report:

"The area of ​​Sultanahmet in particular needs to be protected more because it hosts works that represent the religious and political centers of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. All construction activities p’ this area must be inspected with the active participation and scientific input of local authorities, of museums, of protection committees and academics. The historical heritage of Istanbul must not fall victim to the greed of the people and the indifference of the authorities".

Source : tovima.gr

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Ancient Greek port next to Constantinople

It is dated to the 2nd BC. X. century and is located at a distance 20 kilometers from the city

A port from the Roman era and next to it an older one, which presents Greek elements and dates back to the 2nd BC. X. century have been brought to light by the excavations carried out in Constantinople at a distance 20 kilometers from the city, on a small peninsula of the Kyutsukcekmetse lake.

The first has already been identified as it is believed to be the city of Vathonea, some ruins of which are submerged in the waters of the lake. Bathonea came to light for the first time in 2007, after a dry spell, when the water level of the lake went down. Then it was discovered that the port was hiding a huge treasure of ancient artifacts, dating from the 4th to the 6th century AD. X., that is, the period, in which Constantinople was founded.

Harbor walls, well-built multi-storey buildings that may have belonged to a mansion or palace, a huge outdoor tank, a Byzantine temple of the 5th or 6th century that was built on the foundations of an ancient Greek temple, a cemetery of the same era as well as stone-built roads were brought to light by archaeologists during the last excavation period in the area of ​​the smaller port. Currency, pottery and other findings besides, suggest that the church was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 557 but remained in use until the 1037, when another earthquake completely demolished it.
As is obvious, the specific area had continuous habitation and activity since the ancient Greek era. As announced by the Turkish archaeologists who are carrying out the excavations, the settlement was very large since it seems to have extended at least to 7,8 square km. The harbor walls are also long, which reaches at least half the length of the walls of Constantinople.
The possibility that this was a resort of the time is something that is being investigated, however, the name Vathoneas is not certain either, as the reports about her, derived from ancient and Byzantine sources are unclear. In particular, Pliny the Elder speaks in his "Natural History" of a river called Bathynia, which flows into the lake.

While a Byzantine monk, Saint Theophanes the Confessor mentions a region in the 9th century, who calls her Vathyasos.

However, glass objects and ceramics dating back to the 14th century were found at the site, but also plinths with the inscription KONCTANS, of the 5th m. X. century. Other findings also show the city's commercial relations with distant regions such as Palestine and Syria. However, its relationship with Constantinople remains unclear although it could have served both merchant ships and the empire's fleet as a safe harbor outside the city walls.. As is well known, Constantinople had ports in the Horned Gulf and the Sea of ​​Marmara.
The discovery of a building structure at the bottom of the lake is also interesting, which probably belonged to a lighthouse. And if this is verified, it will be one of only three Roman lighthouses, which are known to have existed in the eastern Mediterranean, next to those of Alexandria and Patara (ancient city and port of Lycia in Asia Minor).
Source : tovima.gr