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Category Archives: Istanbul
Replica of Byzantine ship to sail next year in Turkey
Yenikapı 12, a replica of a ship built during the Middle Ages that was unearthed during metro project excavations, will be launched at sea next year within the scope of a project coordinated by Istanbul University. One of 36 sunken … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantium in the News, Istanbul
Tagged Archaeology, Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul, navy
2 Comments
The town of the blind
An interesting profile of a lesser known part of Istanbul From Today’s Zaman Kadıköy is indisputably the hub of the Asian side of İstanbul. With its vibrant center and shopping artery, Bahariye Caddesi, lively bars, clubs and restaurants, chic neighborhoods … Continue reading
Days that live in Infamy: The Fall of Constantinople
Faced with the certainty of death it is said that experienced soldiers are ready to make that last leap into the fray, knowing that they have only one fate. A man schooled in princely duties such as Constantine XI Dragases … Continue reading
Posted in History, Istanbul, The Fall of Constantinople 1453
Tagged Byzantine, Constantine, Constantinople, Mehmet, Ottomans
1 Comment
Celebrating the Foundation of Constantinople on this day in AD 330
“Of that Byzantine Empire the universal verdict of history is that it constitutes, without a single exception, the most thoroughly base and despicable form that civilisation has yet assumed …. There has been no other enduring civilisation so absolutely destitute … Continue reading
Byzantine-era Damatrys Palace to be restored by Istanbul Municipality
First published in Today’s Zaman The Damatrys Palace, built by Emperor Maurice during the days of the Byzantine Empire, will be restored by the İstanbul Special Provincial Administration under the supervision of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The Damatrys Palace, which was … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantium in the News, Istanbul
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, Istanbul, Turkey
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What secrets are hidden under Hagia Sophia?
LP O’Bryan, who describes himself as a crime & mystery writer and runs a blog when not writing professionally, has written a thought provoking article about the possibility of ‘something’ being under Hagia Sophia. His argument is that Crypts and underground structures … Continue reading
Posted in History, Istanbul, Uncategorized
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
8 Comments
The Patriarchate is ecumenical
First published in Hurriyet Daily News Friday, November 19, 2010 By MUSTAFA AKYOL BRUSSELS – What brought me to the European capital this time is an international conference organized by the Archons. Never heard of the Archons before? I, at … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantium in the News, Commentary & Politics, Istanbul
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, Patriarch
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From Byzantine Constantinople to Ottoman Konstantiniyye: Creation of a Cosmopolitan Capital and Visual Culture under Sultan Mehmed II
An article from Harvard University by Gulru Necipoglu Introduction: The conquest of Constantinople engendered Mehmed II’s lifelong ambition to revive the ruinous city’s ancient status as the prosperous capital of a world empire. This essay interprets the sultan’s negotiation of … Continue reading
Posted in History, Istanbul, The Fall of Constantinople 1453
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, history, Istanbul, medieval history, Mehmet, Muslim, Turks
2 Comments
Archaeologists discover Byzantine monastic complex in Istanbul
First published in Hürriyet Daily News The Küçükyalı Arkeopark, a large archaeological area on the Asian side of Istanbul, hosts the only surviving Byzantine monastic complex in the city, the head of the excavation team says. The 9th-century complex contains … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantium in the News, History, Istanbul
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul
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The Anastasian Wall: A Neglected Byzantine Monument
The Anastasian Walls were built about 500 AD by the Emperor Anastasias. They stretch from the Marmara to the Black Sea. Although often mentioned in the history of the Empire during raids, particularly by the Bulgars, very little is known … Continue reading
Posted in History, Istanbul
Tagged Anastasian Wall, Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul, Justinian
4 Comments
Hagia Sofia: Dome Secrets
Enjoy this video which explains how the great dome of Hagia Sophia was designed and built. The engineering skills of the Romans was outstanding, and no computer simulation for them! Related article: Nineteenth Annual Runciman Lecture – Byzantine Architecture reconfigured … Continue reading
Posted in Istanbul, Video
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantine history, Byzantium, Constantinople, Hagia Sophia, history, Istanbul, Justinian
1 Comment
A video reconstruction of Constantinople
I think this reconstruction is from the team behind the Byzantium 1200 project. They acknowledge that by the time of the fall of the city to the Crusaders in 1204, and certainly thereafter, the city may not have appeared quite … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantine Events, Istanbul, Video
Tagged Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, medieval history
2 Comments
Walking the Via Egnatia 2010
The Via Egnatia Foundation is finalising the plans for the second and final section of the walk, or caravan, along the Via Egnatia which will be completed in two phases in May/June and July this year. The caravan will start … Continue reading
Posted in Byzantine Events, Istanbul, Via Egnatia, Video
Tagged Albania, Byzantine, Byzantium, Constantinople, Durres, Dyrrachium, Istanbul, Roman Empire, Roman Roads, Via Egnatia
1 Comment
Why ‘Istanbul’?
Few cities in the world compare with İstanbul, so rich in culture and history. What other reason need one give for living here? “But is it safe?” friends at home occasionally ask. “And isn’t the real name Constantinople?” This question … Continue reading
Byzantine Blog 
A new evaluation of Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire
An interesting article written from a Turkish perspective. First published in Today’s Zaman by GÖKNUR AKÇADAĞ All research dealing with contemporary mindsets has to hark back to past states and civilizations. It is not possible while following this methodology to … Continue reading →