It Byzantium was founded by the name of Byzantion within
an area of 2 km² 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.
Tower
of Leander
