The Byzantine church in the region of Blachernai (modern Ayvansaray) is known as Atik Mustafa Pașa Camii. Considered to be the oldest Constantinopolitan church (second half of 9th c.) of the cross-in-square type, it is a significant monument for the study of Middle Byzantine architecture in the Byzantine capital. A later date in the 11th century has also been suggested and, if proven correct, it could overturn this theory. On the initial dedication of the church various views have been...

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The Augustaion was one of Constantinople’s public squares with a long history. It was lying to the south of Hagia Sophia, at the heart of public life and of administration. It was formed by Constantine the Great and it was named this way in honor of his mother. In this area from time to time a lot of changes took place. Gradually it lost its public character and became the forecourt of Hagia Sophia. It served at the imperial ceremonies. The square was decorated with columns surmounted by...

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The Basilica Cistern, also known as the “underground palace” (Yerebatan Saray), is the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Located southwest of Hagia Sophia, this covered subterranean reservoir once held 78,000 m3 of water. Originally built under the no longer extant Stoa Basilica, the present structure of the eponymous cistern was rebuilt in the 6th century. It remains one of the most important and oldest public spaces in the city.

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The Baths of Zeuxippos were located by the northeastern corner of the Hippodrome and close to the Augusteion and the Great Palace. Septimius Severus is credited with their construction. The baths were enlarged by Constantine I in the 4th century. They were decorated with numerous statues of gods, mythological heroes, and portraits of famous Greeks and Romans. Destroyed in the 6th century, the Baths of Zeuxippos were rebuilt by Justinian I. Parts of the complex were subsequently converted into a...

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The basilica of the Virgin Mary of Blachernai became the most popular Constantinopolitan pilgrimage shrine of Theotokos. Its erection was traditionally attributed to Pulcheria and Emperor Maurice; it seems, however, that it was erected by Justin I (518-527). Earlier mentions of pilgrimage shrine of the Virgin Mary of Blachernai probably referred to the chapel (Soros), where the maphorion (the holy veil) of the Virgin was kept after its translation from Palestine in the 460s. Until the 7th...

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Bogdan Sarayı is located in the northwestern part of Constantinople and its Byzantine name is uknown. Today in ruinous condition, it was originally a small, two-storied, single-apse building of the Palaiologan era, evidently part of a larger foundation. The lower story would have been used for burials. In the early 15th century, Bogdan Sarayı became the private chapel of the Moldavian embassy to the Sublime Port.

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Chalke (Bronze) Gate, rendered from Greek “Brazen House”, was the main vestibule of the Great Palace, so named either for bronze tiles of its roof or for its bronze doors. A famous icon of Christ was placed over the doors. Now lost, this imperial Gate originally facing the Augustaion, south of Hagia Sophia, was one of the most important architectural symbols of Constantinople.

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Латинската империя в Константинопол съществува 57 г. - от превземането на града на 13 април 1204 до 25 юли 1261 г. За кратковременната си власт над част от византийската територия и над самата й столица, латините въвеждат много промени, но запазват същевременно и някои от традициите на византийско управление. В Константинопол не са извършени съществени строителни и градоустройствени дейности. След 1230 г. настъпва период на постоянен упадък и постепенно загиване на империята

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