Where Did the Wall Reach the Sea

The exact spot where the city wall met the Sea of Marmora, directly across from Chrysopolis (modern-day Üsküdar), is not clearly stated in ancient sources. However, it was likely very close to the present-day Seraglio Lighthouse. This area offers the easiest downward path from the Temple of Aphrodite to the shore, because of a natural break in the steep slope of the First Hill.

This suggests that the wall built by Emperor Septimius Severus mostly followed the same path as the older wall that he had destroyed. This idea is supported by comparing the landscape outside the wall built by Severus—the valley of the Grand Bazaar—with the description of the land beyond the earlier fortifications. That area was described as smooth and sloping gradually to the water, just like the current landscape.

A Landscape Suited for Defense

An ancient writer described the ground like this:

“The first space beyond the city walls was a smooth plain, gently sloping down to the sea, keeping the city from being an island.”

This description matches the valley of the Grand Bazaar, showing that the wall Severus rebuilt likely stood on the same line as the earlier one.

Inside Byzantium After Severus’ Restoration

After Severus restored Byzantium, the city began to grow and change. It became more structured and featured many new public buildings. These included places for entertainment, bathing, and gathering.

One of the most important constructions was the Hippodrome, a massive stadium for chariot races and public events. Although Severus began building it, he had to leave for the West before finishing the project. Later, Constantine the Great would complete and expand it.

The Tetrastoon and the Baths of Zeuxippus

Between the northern end of the Hippodrome and the future location of Hagia Sophia was an open square called the Tetrastoon. This was a public plaza, surrounded on all four sides by covered walkways (porticoes). On the southern edge of the Tetrastoon stood the Thermae of Zeuxippus, or the Baths of Zeuxippus, one of the most famous bathing complexes in the city.

These public places became the heart of the restored city, where people gathered to socialize, relax, and enjoy the cultural life of Byzantium Sofia Sightseeing.

In conclusion, Severus’ wall closely followed the path of the earlier fortifications, and the geography supports this. After rebuilding the city, Severus added important public buildings like the Hippodrome and the Baths of Zeuxippus, laying the groundwork for what would soon become Constantinople, one of the greatest cities in history.

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.

Understanding the Location of Byzantium’s Ancient Gate

The historian Zosimus makes a statement that, when read alone, can be misunderstood. His words suggest that the ancient gate of Byzantium may have stood west of Constantine’s Forum. This would mean that the Forum was built east of the gate, inside the city walls built by Emperor Severus.

According to Zosimus, people entered the porticoes of Severus and exited the old city by passing through arches. These arches stood on the east and west sides of Constantine’s Forum. This layout would only make sense if, when moving from east to west, the structures were arranged as follows:

Constantine’s Forum

Porticoes of Severus

The old gate of Byzantium

If this were true, then when Zosimus said the Forum stood “where the gate had been,” he might have meant that the porticoes between the Forum and the gate were too short to be worth mentioning Sofia Daily Tours.

Conflicting Historical Sources

However, reading Zosimus in this way causes problems. It contradicts other historical sources:

Theophanes, a later historian, provides a different account that doesn’t support Zosimus’s version.

Hesychius of Miletus clearly states that the wall of Byzantium did not extend beyond the Forum of Constantine. In his words, the wall reached “not beyond the emperor’s market” (Forum).

Even though it is less critical, the Anonymus and Codinus also provide a different explanation. They say the circular shape of the Forum was inspired by the shape of Constantine’s tent when he laid siege to the city. This would place the Forum outside the old city walls.

Modern Scholars’ Interpretation

Modern scholars such as Lethaby and Swainson propose a clearer arrangement of the city’s layout. They place the Forum of Constantine directly between the porticoes of Severus on the east and the ancient gate of Byzantium on the west. According to their interpretation:

The western arch of the Forum stood on the site of the old gate.

A person inside the Forum could go east to enter the Severus porticoes, or west to exit the city through the old gate.

This explanation helps to align Zosimus’s account with the archaeological and historical evidence. It shows how Constantine restructured the city, using existing features like the Severan gate and adding monumental spaces such as his Forum.

A City of Layers

Constantinople (originally Byzantium) was a city shaped over centuries. Each emperor, including Severus and Constantine, left their mark by rebuilding, expanding, and adapting existing structures. The debates about the location of the ancient gate and the placement of the Forum show how deeply architecture and imperial ambition were linked in the making of this historic capital.

Doubts About the Earliest Wall

Some historians believe the account of an early city wall around Byzantium may be just a legend. It might have been based only on guesses, especially the idea that the Arch of Urbicius and the Arch of the Milion once marked the gates in an ancient wall. These structures could have given later writers the impression of an earlier, larger defense system.

However, it is very likely that early Byzantium was much smaller than it became later in history. In that case, the arches could indeed show where the first walls built outside the Acropolis once stood. This means the story may hold some truth, though it might not be entirely accurate Sofia Daily Tours.

The Third Line of Walls

We now move to the third and most significant set of walls that protected ancient Byzantium. These walls were responsible for making the city one of the greatest fortresses in the ancient world. According to historical sources, these walls enclosed a circuit of thirty-five stadia (about 6.5 kilometers), which included most of the land occupied by the First and Second Hills of the city.

Ports Along the Golden Horn

The walls ran along the Golden Horn, starting from the tip of the promontory and reaching the west side of the bay. This area is where the valley between the Second and Third Hills—now known as the Valley of the Grand Bazaar—meets the water.

This bay was a key center of trade and activity. It had three ports, which were either natural or man-made. These served the busy shipping industry of Byzantium. One of the best-known ports was at the Neorion, near today’s Bâğçe Kapısı.

Strong and Advanced Fortifications

The walls were famous in ancient times for their great strength. Builders used large, squared blocks of hard stone that were carefully fitted together. Metal clamps held the stones in place, making the walls so solid that they seemed like a continuous rock formation.

One of the towers was called the Tower of Hercules, named for its impressive size and durability. Seven other towers were believed to be so finely built that they could echo even the quietest sound, alerting soldiers to enemy movements and preventing surprise attacks.

Built After Victory Over the Persians?

The style of the construction suggests that these walls were likely built soon after Pausanias, the Greek general, defeated the Persians at Plataea and later drove them out of Byzantium. This period marks the beginning of Byzantium’s rise as a major defensive stronghold in the ancient world.

The Ridge and the Milion

The ridge of the promontory was the central line of high ground in ancient Constantinople. One of the most important landmarks on this ridge was the Milion, the milestone from which all distances in the Roman Empire were measured. It stood just southwest of Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia) and marked the location of an old gate of Byzantium. This area served as a key reference point in the layout and measurement of the ancient city.

Fortifications from the Milion

From the Milion, the ancient city wall continued toward the twisted columns of the Tzycalarii. Based on the direction of the wall, historians believe these columns were located on the plateau near St. Irene, another important Byzantine church. From there, the wall sloped downward to the Sea of Marmara, near today’s Seraglio Lighthouse at a place once called Topi.

After reaching the sea, the wall turned north and ran along the shoreline, encircling the tip of the historic peninsula. Along the way, it passed the areas where the Thermae of Arcadius (public baths) and the Mangana Palace complex were later built.

The Early Size of Byzantium

According to two Byzantine historians, Anonymus and Codinus, this wall described the full circuit of Byzantium from its original foundation by Byzas (the legendary founder) all the way to the reign of Constantine the Great. However, their claim is not entirely accurate. In fact, archaeological and historical evidence shows that Byzantium’s walls enclosed a much larger area than the circuit they describe, especially by the year 196 AD, and perhaps even earlier.

Therefore, their description of the city’s size likely refers only to a very early stage in Byzantium’s history—possibly before it grew into an important regional and imperial center.

Strategic Locations Near the Wall

Historical sources help us locate certain buildings that once stood along this early wall. For example, the Strategion, a military training field like a parade ground, was located at the foot of the Second Hill, close to today’s Sirkeci Station. It was near the granaries by the Prosphorion Harbor, which were close to the Neorion (Bâb-ı Ali Gate)—a site once destroyed by fire Sofia Daily Tours.

Nearby was the Chalcoprateia, or Brass Market, situated close to the Great Basilica and the Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern), which still exists today. These landmarks help us better understand how the ancient wall of Byzantium shaped the life, trade, and defense of the city.

Escape to the Fortress

When Xenophon’s soldiers re-entered Byzantium, they blocked access to the Acropolis from inside the city. As a result, Anaxibius, the Spartan commander, could not reach the fortress by land. Instead, he had to board a fishing boat in the harbor and sail around the point of the promontory to reach the eastern side of the city, opposite Chalcedon (modern-day Kadıköy). From there, he also sent a request to Chalcedon for military reinforcements.

These movements strongly suggest that the Acropolis, the ancient stronghold of Byzantium, was located at the eastern tip of the promontory, near what is today Seraglio Point Sofia Daily Tours.

Discovery of an Ancient Wall

In 1871, during excavations for the Roumelian railway, workers uncovered an ancient wall just south of Seraglio Point. The wall ran east to west and was made from massive stone blocks—some over 7 feet long, nearly 4 feet wide, and 2 feet thick. Due to its size and location, scholars believe it was part of the original fortifications around the Acropolis. This wall gives physical proof of how well the ancient city was protected.

The Second City Wall

The second circuit of walls surrounding Byzantium was described by Anonymus in the 11th century and by the historian Codinus. According to their writings, the wall began at the Tower of the Acropolis, located at the tip of the promontory, and extended westward along the Golden Horn. It reached the Tower of Eugenius, likely near the Yali Kiosk Gate (Yalı Köşkü Kapısı).

From there, the wall turned inland toward the Strategion, which was the city’s military parade ground—similar to the Champ de Mars in Paris. This area stretched across the plain at the foot of the Second Hill, between the Yali Kiosk Gate and the modern-day Sirkeci Train Station.

The Baths of Achilles and Brass Market

Near the Strategion stood the Thermae of Achilles, or the Baths of Achilles, a public bathhouse popular in the ancient city. A city gate once stood there as well and was later known as the Arch of Urbicius.

From that point, the wall climbed the slope up to the Chalcoprateia, or Brass Market, which was one of Byzantium’s major trading centers. This market extended from the area now occupied by the Sublime Porte (the Ottoman imperial gate) to the region of Yerebatan Sarayı—today’s Basilica Cistern, one of the most visited sites in modern Istanbul.

Constantine’s Brilliant Decision

Dean Stanley once said that choosing the site for Constantinople was the clearest and strongest sign of Emperor Constantine’s genius. This one act had a lasting effect on the history of the world. It turned a small city into one of the most important capitals in history. Though this article will not go deeply into the early geography of Byzantium before Constantine, we will look at how its defenses grew over time. These changes show how a city founded by Greek settlers became the grand center of the Roman and later Byzantine Empires.

The Expanding Walls of the City

Constantinople grew in stages, with each new wall adding more land and protection. Over time, the city expanded far beyond its original size. There were four main phases of wall-building that shaped the city’s boundaries Sofia Daily Tours.

The First Wall The Acropolis of Byzantium

The earliest defenses were built to protect the Acropolis of Byzantium. This was the heart of the original Greek colony, and it stood on the high ground at the eastern tip of the First Hill, where the Seraglio Point is today. The remains of this ancient fort can still be seen. Some of the surviving walls are from Byzantine times, while others were rebuilt or repaired by the Ottomans.

Today, the area is home to important buildings such as:

The Imperial Museum

The Kiosk of Sultan Abdul Medjid

The Imperial Kitchens

Why This Spot Was Chosen

This area was a natural fortress. The land rises sharply above the sea, making it easy to defend from all sides. In ancient times, cities were often built around a strong center like this—called an acropolis, meaning “high city” in Greek.

The importance of the Acropolis is confirmed by ancient sources. For example, Xenophon, a Greek historian and soldier, tells a story in his book Anabasis about how the Ten Thousand Greek soldiers returned from Persia and entered Byzantium. When they entered through the western gates, the Spartan commander Anaxibius had to flee and take shelter in the Acropolis. This proves that the Acropolis was the strongest part of the city, even back then.

A Small Colony That Became a Capital

Originally, Byzantium was just a small Greek colony founded by people from Megara. But over time, thanks to its excellent location and strong defenses, it became the capital of an empire. Constantine’s decision to move the Roman capital here changed world history. The layers of walls built over time reflect the city’s growth, power, and long-standing importance.

A Perfect Place for a Great City

Constantinople was built in one of the most beautiful and strategic places in the world. The natural setting alone made it a perfect location for a great city. Surrounded by sea and land routes, it had both beauty and power. But to understand the true importance of Constantinople, we must look closely at its geography.

Geography and History Go Hand in Hand

The story of Constantinople cannot be told without understanding its unique location. No other city in the world owes more to its position. Its strength, long life, and influence all came from the land and sea around it.

Geography had a huge impact on the city’s history. Constantinople was both deeply connected to the world and yet easy to defend. It could open its doors to trade and ideas from across the continents, or it could shut them tight against its enemies Sofia City Tour.

At the Crossroads of Continents

Constantinople stands where Europe and Asia nearly touch. The narrow strip of water between them, only about half a mile wide, is the Bosporus Strait. The city is right at this crossing point.

It is also where several major waterways come together:

The Mediterranean Sea reaches up through the Aegean Sea and Sea of Marmara from the south.

The Black Sea (once called the Euxine) and the Sea of Azov open routes to the north.

This location made Constantinople a center for trade, politics, and culture. Rich and powerful regions surrounded it, and goods from three continents could flow through its markets.

Easy to Defend, Hard to Attack

Constantinople’s geography also made it easy to protect. Enemies coming by sea had to pass through narrow straits:

The Dardanelles (or Hellespont) from the Aegean

The Bosporus from the Black Sea

These narrow channels could be guarded with ships and forts. Enemy fleets found it nearly impossible to sneak through.

On land, the city stood on a narrow strip of land, easy to wall off. Strong defenses along the western side of the city could stop even large armies. A small but well-prepared group of soldiers could hold back thousands.

A City in the World—And Above It

Constantinople was both in the world and apart from it. It welcomed trade, wealth, and culture, yet it could close itself off in times of danger. This rare combination made it one of the most powerful and long-lasting cities in history.

The Seven Hills of Constantinople

Landmarks, Mosques, and History

Constantinople, like ancient Rome, was built on seven hills, each rich with history and remarkable landmarks. These hills rise and fall across the old city, giving it a dramatic landscape. Here’s a simple guide to each of the hills, their locations, and what you can find on them today or in historical records.

The First Hill

Home of the Empire’s Greatest Buildings

The First Hill is located closest to the tip of the promontory, where the land juts into the sea. This area contains some of the most important historical landmarks:

The Seraglio (Topkapi Palace), the grand palace of the Ottoman sultans

The ancient church of St. Irene

The world-famous Hagia Sophia (St. Sophia)

The Hippodrome, once the center of sports and public life in Byzantine Constantinople

This hill marked the heart of imperial and religious life for centuries.

The Second Hill

The Burnt Column and Byzantine Memories

Separated from the First Hill by a valley running from Hagia Sophia to the Golden Horn, the Second Hill is known for:

The Column of Constantine the Great, a massive porphyry monument

Locally called the Burnt Column or Çemberlitaş

This column was a symbol of Constantine’s founding of the city as the “New Rome Sofia City Tour.”

The Third Hill

Mosques and Government Buildings

Divided from the Second Hill by the valley of the Grand Bazaar, the Third Hill is known for:

The War Office and Fire-Signal Tower

The Mosque of Sultan Bayezid II

The grand Mosque of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent

This hill became a central part of Ottoman administrative and religious life.

The Fourth Hill

Home of the Conqueror’s Mosque

Set farther from the shoreline than the previous three, the Fourth Hill is divided from the Third by a valley running from the Valens Aqueduct to the Golden Horn. At its top sits:

The Mosque of Sultan Mehmed II, also known as Fatih Camii, built by the conqueror of Constantinople

The Fifth Hill

Steep Ridge Overlooking the Golden Horn

The Fifth Hill is actually a steep ridge extending from the Fourth Hill almost to the water, in the Phanar district. On its summit:

Stands the Mosque of Sultan Selim

This hill rises sharply above a broad plain that lies between the Third and Fourth Hills.

The Sixth Hill

Ancient Palaces and Byzantine Legacy

Separated from the Fifth Hill by a valley leading from Balat Gate to the large Byzantine cistern called Tchoukour Bostan, the Sixth Hill is historically significant for:

The ruins of the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Sarayı)

The district of Eğri Kapı

The famous Blachernae Palace, mentioned by the historian Nicetas Choniates

The Seventh Hill

The Dry Hill of the Southwest

The Seventh Hill lies in the southwestern corner of the city. Known in ancient times as Xerolophos, or “The Dry Hill”, due to its poor soil. This hill features:

The Avret Bazaar

The remains of the Column of Arcadius

The neighborhoods of Altımermer and Psamathia

A City of Layers and Heights

These seven hills gave Constantinople its distinctive shape and character. Each hill played a unique role in the history of Byzantium and later the Ottoman Empire. Exploring them means walking through centuries of culture, religion, and imperial power.

The Shape and Size of the Promontory

A Natural Fortress by the Sea

The land on which Constantinople was built is known as a promontory—a piece of land that extends into the water. Although its actual shape is more like a trapezium (a four-sided figure with uneven sides), it is often described as a triangle. This is because the eastern side of the land is shorter than the others, giving it a triangular appearance.

The promontory stretches about four miles in length and varies in width from one to four miles. The ground is not flat. Instead, it is a mix of hills, ridges, valleys, and plains, which gave the ancient city a natural defense and a unique beauty Sofia City Tour.

The Hills of New Rome

A City Built on Seven Hills

The land rises to a height of about 250 feet at its tallest points. The higher parts are grouped into two main areas:

A large, isolated hill located at the southwestern corner of the promontory.

A long ridge that runs along the Golden Horn on the northern side.

This ridge is not continuous but is divided into six smaller hills by five cross-valleys. These valleys cut through the ridge, making each hill seem like a separate piece of high ground.

Because of this landscape, Constantinople, often called New Rome, proudly claimed to be built on seven hills, just like the original Rome beside the Tiber River in Italy. These seven hills became one of the most iconic symbols of the city.

Valleys and Waterways

The Lycus River and Surrounding Plains

Between the two high areas of the city lies a broad meadow, through which the Lycus River flows. This river crosses the promontory and empties into the Sea of Marmara on the southern side. This fertile valley was important for both water supply and city planning.

In addition to this meadow, there are also flat lands along the coastlines of the promontory and in the valleys between the northern hills. These areas were likely used for homes, gardens, and marketplaces in ancient times.

How the Hills Are Named

A Practical Numbering System

Most of the hills in Constantinople do not have individual names. Instead of using traditional names, historians and local guides usually number the hills from one to seven for easy reference. This system helps people understand where important buildings and landmarks were located in the ancient city.

A City Shaped by Nature and History

Constantinople’s natural landscape played a huge role in its strategic power, defensive strength, and architectural beauty. Built on hills, near rivers, and surrounded by water, it became one of the greatest cities of the ancient and medieval world. Its unique geography made it the perfect setting for emperors, armies, and empires to rise and fall.

The Location of Constantinople

Understanding the Geography of a Historic City

This article offers a simple overview of the land on which Constantinople was built. While we won’t go into the deep details found in works like that of Petrus Gyllius, it is still important to understand the basic geography before exploring the ruins of what was once called New Rome.

Constantinople lies at the southwestern end of the Bosporus Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. The city was built on a promontory, a piece of land that juts out into the water from the European side of the strait. The tip of this land faces upstream, as if trying to hold back the strong current flowing from the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara Sofia City Tour.

Natural Borders and Surroundings

The Golden Horn, the Sea of Marmara, and Asia

To the north of the city lies a long and narrow bay called the Golden Horn. This bay stretches inland between steep banks for about six to seven miles. In ancient times, it was one of the best natural harbors in the world, offering safe and deep water for ships.

To the south, the Sea of Marmara opens up wide like a lake. On the Asian side of this sea, you can see hills, mountains, and small islands. Directly across from the eastern side of the city’s promontory are the historic towns of Chrysopolis (modern Üsküdar) and Chalcedon (modern Kadıköy), both located in present-day Istanbul on the Asian side.

The Western Landscape

A Plain with a Rich Past

To the west of Constantinople, the land becomes a gently rolling plain. Although it does not offer much in terms of striking natural beauty today, in the glory days of the Byzantine Empire, this area was full of villas, gardens, and beautiful homes. It must have been a peaceful and elegant part of the city’s surroundings.

The western plain stretches out toward the horizon and served as the main land route into the city. Over centuries, this land witnessed countless armies, traders, and pilgrims entering Constantinople.

A City Built to Control Land and Sea

Constantinople’s unique position gave it great strategic and commercial importance. It controlled the water route between two seas and stood at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Surrounded by natural barriers like the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara, and facing rich and ancient cities across the strait, the site was perfectly chosen for what would become one of the greatest cities in world history.

The Social and Economic Role of Construction Materials in Roman Asia

Not Carved in Stone The Impact of Material Choices

In Roman Asia, many public buildings were not funded by the government but instead by private donors. These wealthy individuals paid for the construction of important buildings to improve their social status and gain respect in the community. Public buildings, or private structures that allowed access to high-ranking citizens, served as a symbol of power and prestige Sofia City Tour.

These projects did more than just change how the city looked. They had a strong economic impact. Many people worked on these buildings, from laborers and craftsmen to suppliers and decorators. The construction work provided income to the local population and influenced the city’s economic activities.

Cost-Saving Methods with Decorative Facades

One important technique used during this period was revetment. This means builders used cheaper materials like rubble, brick, or stone in the inner structure and covered them with a thin layer of expensive decoration, like marble or carved stone.

This allowed donors to save money by using affordable resources from nearby areas or those that were easier to collect and transport. Even though the building looked rich and grand from the outside, the hidden materials helped keep costs low.

However, using less labor-intensive materials reduced the total construction time, which in turn reduced the number of workdays. This may have meant less income for workers, creating economic disadvantages for laborers who depended on longer construction periods.

Analyzing the Impact on Society

Using calculation methods first developed by Janet Delaine, this study looks at how different materials (stone, brick, rubble) impacted local societies. The use of cheaper construction methods allowed donors to show off their generosity while spending less money, but it may also have limited the economic benefits for those who worked on these projects.

The Water Storage Systems of Byzantine Constantinople

Design and Construction of the Byzantine Cisterns

Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, was located on a peninsula with few natural water sources. To solve this problem, the city developed a complex system of aqueducts and cisterns.

As early as the 2nd century, long-distance water supply lines were built to meet the needs of the earlier city of Byzantion. When Constantinople became the capital in the 4th century, water was brought from Thrace using the Valens Aqueduct, an impressive engineering feat.

Building and Expanding the Cistern Network

This water was stored inside the city in large open-air reservoirs and underground cisterns. Starting from the 5th and 6th centuries, more and more subterranean cisterns were built. These usually had two or four rows of columns supporting the roofs.

These cisterns were carefully planned and built with strong architectural techniques. They provided a reliable water source in case of siege or drought and became an essential part of the city’s infrastructure.

The Most Common Byzantine Building Type

Over the centuries, these cisterns were constructed regularly as the city expanded. Today, they represent the most common type of surviving Byzantine building in Istanbul. Their practical design and durability make them an outstanding example of Byzantine engineering.