Saksagan
Identifying the Gate of the Red Faction
Identifying the Gate of the Red Faction (Porta Rhousiou)
The identification of this gate with the name of the Red Faction—Porta Rhousiou—is supported by two...
The Third Military Gate and Its Surroundings
The Third Military Gate is located a short distance north of the Gate of the Pege. It stands between the fourth and fifth towers...
Latin Inscription and Its Meaning
A Latin inscription carved into the Inner Wall of Constantinople reads:
"PORTARUM VALID FIRMAVIT LIMINE MUROS, PUSAEUS MAGNO NON MINOR ANTHEMIO."
This can be roughly translated...
Repairs on the Theodosian Walls
The Theodosian Walls of Constantinople were some of the strongest city walls in the medieval world. Keeping these walls in good condition was extremely...
The Kerko Porta and Its Discrepancies
The history of the Kerko Porta is a bit confusing due to a key issue. According to the historian Ducas, the Kerko Porta led...
The Pigeons of the Bayezid Mosque
The famous Bayezidiyeh Mosque, also called the Pigeon Mosque, was built in 1497 by Sultan Bayezid II. It gets its nickname from the many...
The Firefighting Equipment and Spectacle
The fire engines used in old Constantinople (now Istanbul) were small and simple. They were so light that four men could easily carry one...
Firemen More Interesting Than Dogs
While the dogs of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) often attract attention, some visitors find the firemen even more interesting. Fires are quite common in the...
Said Pasha An Honest Man in a Corrupt System
Said Pasha, who served as the Grand Vizier (the highest official after the Sultan), was known for being honest. Unlike most high-ranking Turkish officials,...
The Navy Yard on the Golden Horn
A Marine Graveyard
The navy yard on the Golden Horn is like a marine graveyard. Long rows of old ships lie side by side, many...
