About the Wall the Was Supposed To Protect Constantinople
The Theodosian Walls, of the Constantinople Walls, were erected in the 5th century by Emperor Theodosius II. These walls are impressive, longer than 22 kilometers, and built more than 1,500 years ago.There were 10 mains gates, 5 for pedestrians and the public, and 5 for military purposes.
At their height the wall was supposed to protect the Byzantine capital from enemy attacks. Back then they reach the height of 12 meters, 5 meter thickness in certain places, and originally had 55 gates and 300 guard towers.
Go towards the Constantinople Walls in Yedikule Fortress (Yedikule Hisari Müzes), it's a place to walk around and overlook the Bosphorus and the fortress built by the Ottoman conqueror during the siege of Constantinople.
Today the walls do serve no purpose. The view from here is wonderful, and the sounds of swords and the fights can be heard in the winds of past, there are concerts and musical performances, that sometimes happen here in the evenings.
History of the Walls
In ancient times many saw the Theodosian Walls, protected by Constantinople on all sides, impossible to penetrate.
It was the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II who built the famous walls of Constantinople in the 5th century, from the place where Emperor Theodosius I built in the 4th century a triumphal arch. Theodosius covered the gate in gold and installed then into the walls.
When Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II arrived to conquer the fortified city, they besieged it. Within four months they built a formidable fortress called Rumelihisarı and blocked the entrance to the city.
On the way, the emperor will taxed every ship that passed through the Boshporus Strait and made an income, while terrorizing the fortified in the Byzantine capital, which was supposed to be invincible. Within a short time, the residents of Constantinople were not only hungry for food that was running out, but also the hysteria of the Ottoman army capable of building such a terrifying fortress in such a short time.
Finally, a few days after the lunar eclipse, which was the symbol of Constantinople, the troops of Sultan Mehmet II broke through the gates of the city and plundered the capital of the Byzantine Empire.
It was on May 29, 1453. A historic day when the Ottomans overthrew the Byzantine Empire, and hung the head of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantin XI. They made the world's first Christian city a Muslim city, that since has never returned to Christianity. From here the Ottoman Empire will rise up and become an enormous force. It was their time to flourish.
Tips
It is possible to see these impressive walls in many places around Istanbul, and even if there is no time for an actual visit here, it's fun to know the story.
