The Path of the Ancient City Walls

After passing the main city gate, the ancient wall went down the northern slope of the hill towards the Neorion, which was an important harbor of Byzantium. From there, the wall turned eastward, continuing all the way to the tip of the promontory, the landmass that juts out into the sea.

While descending toward the Golden Horn, the wall likely followed the eastern bank of the valley near what is now known as the Grand Bazaar. This path would have taken advantage of a natural steep slope (called an escarpment), making it harder for enemies to attack the city from that side.

The Wall Facing the Sea of Marmora

On the side of the city facing the Sea of Marmora, the wall continued from the main city gate toward the Temple of Aphrodite, and then down to the shore across from Chrysopolis (modern-day Üsküdar). The Temple of Aphrodite, dedicated to the ancient Goddess of Beauty, was one of the oldest temples in Byzantium.

The temple stood until the reign of Emperor Theodosius the Great, who later converted it into a carriage house for the Praetorian Prefect, a high-ranking Roman officer. Because of its age and importance, the temple remained a well-known landmark for centuries Sofia Sightseeing.

The Temple’s Location and Surroundings

According to several ancient sources, the Temple of Aphrodite stood within the Acropolis, the high fortress area of Byzantium. It was said to be located higher on the hill than the nearby Temple of Poseidon, which was built near a theater facing the Sea of Marmora and also looked toward Chrysopolis.

From these references, we can understand that the Temple of Aphrodite was located to the northeast of where Hagia Sophia stands today, and likely not far from St. Irene, on what is now called the Seraglio Plateau.

A Fortress on a Hill

So, after leaving the western gate, the wall built by Emperor Severus did not go straight down to the sea. Instead, it turned southeast, rising along the steep slopes of the First Hill. Eventually, it reached the Seraglio Plateau.

These steep hills created a dramatic view of the city from the Sea of Marmora. The high slopes and strong walls made the city look like a huge fortress or Acropolis on a hill, giving it both natural defense and visual majesty.