BYZANTIUM
It Byzantium was founded by the name of Byzantion within an area of 2 km˛ the hill where
St Sophia and Topkapi Palace are, in 7th century BC by Magarians. City is surrounded by
walls which has a few number of gates and twenty-seven towers. Agora of the city is where
St. Sophia is located.
Very limited information is available on Byzantium of Roman Period. Strategical location
and commercial significance of city in 2nd century BC could not be underestimated. The
point surrounded by walls was doubled in this period. Construction of hippodrome was
initiated, and completed during the time of Constantinus I (the Great). It is 450 m long.
The theater took place where Topkapi Palace is situated now. Roman bathes were on the
north-east of the Hippodrome (325). Significant public works were accomplished in the
period of Constantinus I. Old walls were demolished and replaced by new walls. In this
period ideal distribution was intended in fourteen management areas on seven hills. In
buildings, Hellenistic and Eastern influences were considerably dominant. Construction of
St Sophia was first initiated in 364. Also aqueducts of Valence (Sarachane and Bozdogan),
bathes etc. were built.
Theodosios (379-395) followed the footsteps of Constantinus I. New forum was built
(395-408). Large walls were constructed in the period of Theodosios II (408-450). This
doubled the area of the town. Very few of the architectural monuments, except religious
buildings, have reached our days. Even the traces of the Great Palace (Daphne), built in
the period of Constantinus I, does not exist now. Remains of Bukoleon Palace is at Catladi
Kapi. The Tekfur (Emperor) Palace was built in 11 Th. and l2th centuries. This building
still preserves its firmness.
Construction of water system to meet the water requirement of Istanbul was initiated in
the period of Hadrianus, Emperor of Rome (117-138). Valence Aqueduct was repaired and used
in Byzantium and Ottoman periods. One of the most important struggles of Byzantines was to
provide water for the city. Philahienon (Thousand and one column Cistern, having 224
columns) and Myrelaion Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayi, Underground Cistern dimensions of 140x70
m and having 336 columns) are worth visiting.Best preserved examples of Christian
religious buildings are Hagia Sophia and Hagia Eirene. Greek Cross planned small size
Khora Monastery Church (Kariye Mosque) located in the west of the city was repaired in the
Period of Commenses and Palaiologuses. There were a great number of monasteries, chapels
and churches in the city. A great part of these were demolished before the city was
invaded by the Ottomans. Among the religious buildings reached our days Hagios lovannes
Prodromos basilica (Imrahor Ilyas Bey Mosque), a part of the Studios Monastery (454-453),
Sergios and Bakhhos Church (Small Hagia Sophia) are of central plan. Kyrotissa Monastery
(Kalenderhane Mosque) believed to have been constructed in l3th century is of Closed Greek
Crossed plan.
Important Buildings of the
Byzantium Period
Tower of Leander
It was initially built out of timber on the Bosphorus by Alkibiades, Athenian Commander in
410 BC to watch the ships coming from Black Sea. When it was damaged by fire, it was
rebuilt out of stone by Sultan Ahmet III.
Galata Tower
It was built by Genoeseans as the head tower of Galata walls. It is 61 meters high and has
12 floors. Following its demolishing, it was repaired by Architect Hayrettin. Now, it is
being used as an entertainment center.
Hagia Sophia
Hagia Sophia is one of the buildings remained to our days through the history. Present
building is not the original one. Initial building was opened for worshipping in 360 by
Constantinus,Son of Constantinus (the Great) II. It burned down in an uprising in 404.
Second church which Theodosius II had built was opened to worship in 415. This is a 5 nave
basilica. It burned down during an uprising which started in the hippodrome in 532.
Today's Hagia Sophia is a building of Athemius of Tralles (Aydin) and Architect Izidor of
Miletos. It was initiated upon Emperor Justinianus' demand for a huge and magnificent
church and was opened to worshipping in 537. With the size and the ornaments of its dome,
it is among the magnificent buildings of its time. It is not resistant to earthquake. It
was seriously damaged in an earthquake and repaired in 558. It was pillaged by the
Crusaders army. It was repaired after conquest of Istanbul by Turks and ornamented with
colorful marbles and mosaics. Dome carried by four big elephant legs is not quite round,
its diameter . is 31-36 m. It sits on forty feet, transformation from round to square is
provided with triangular mountings. Hagia Sophia has been used as a mosque for long years
and transformed to museum in 1935.
Hagia Eirene
It is located just behind the Hagia Sophia mosque. It is one of the oldest Byzantium
churches and was built in the period of Constantinus in the beginning of 4th century.
Hagia Eirene now is opened to the public as a museum. Recitals and Concerts are organized
here.
Atik Mustafa Pasha Mosque
It is located in Ayvansaray. It was built for St. Pierre and St. Maria by Leo I in 458. It
was transformed to mosque by Beyazid II.
Imrahor Ilyas Bey Mosque
loannes Predromes Monastery built in 463 between Samatya and Yedikule is one of the most
important Christian centers of the Byzantium Period. It was converted to mosque in the
period of Beyazid II.
Arab Mosque
It is located in Galata. It was built in 717 when Arabs sieged the city. Bodrum Mosque:
It is a 8th century structure located in Laleli.
Small Hagia Sophia
It was built by Justinianus I in 527 on a central plan basis. Kalenderhane Mosque: It is
located in Vezneciler. Based on its architecture is believed to have been built between
the 9th and l2th centuries.
