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Visit Rome following 8 XVIIIth century itineraries XVIIIth century Rome in the 10 Books of Giuseppe Vasi - Le Magnificenze di Roma Antica e Moderna The Grand View of Rome by G. Vasi The Environs of Rome: Frascati, Tivoli, Albano and other small towns near Rome A 1781 map of Rome by G. Vasi An 1852 map of Rome by P. Letarouilly Rome seen by a 1905 armchair traveller in the paintings by Alberto Pisa The 14 historical districts of Rome An abridged history of Rome How to spend a peaceful day in Rome Baroque sculptors and their works The coats of arms of the popes in the monuments of Rome Pages on a specific pope Pages complementing the itineraries and the views by Giuseppe Vasi Walks in the Roman countryside and in other towns of Latium following Ferdinand Gregorovius A Directory of links to the Churches of Rome A Directory of links to the Palaces and Villas of Rome A Directory of links to the Other Monuments of Rome A Directory of Baroque Architects with links to their works A Directory of links to Monuments of Ancient Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Medieval Rome A Directory of links to Monuments of Renaissance A Directory of links to Monuments of the Late Renaissance A list of the most noteworthy Roman Families Directories of fountains, obelisks, museums, etc. Books and guides used for developing this web site An illustrated Glossary of Art Terms Venice and the Levant Roman recollections in Florence A list of Italian towns shown in this web site Venetian Fortresses in Greece Vienna seen by an Italian XVIIIth century traveller A list of foreign towns shown in this web site
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All images © by Roberto Piperno, owner of the domain. Write to romapip@quipo.it. Text edited by Rosamie Moore.
From the Golden Horn to Top Kapi

The initial stretch of the walls, because of the steepness of the terrain and because it was mainly redesigned in 627 to include the Blachernae Palace, does not follow the general pattern of the walls.

The initial stretch of the walls

Here the walls are very high and were reinforced at the bottom in a later period to better resist artillery attacks. In particular, two large towers (see below) at the top of the hill ensured full protection of the royal palace. They were built by Isaac II Angelus (emperor from 1185 to 1195, and again from 1203 to 1204) and by Manuel Anemas, a member of the imperial family.

Tower of Isaac Angel and Anemas

Tekfur Sarayi and Egri Kapi

Tekfur Sarayi

Of the many buildings making up the complex of Blachernae only this XIIIth century palace survives. In the XIIth century the emperor moved the court from the too vast and dilapidated palaces near Agia Sofia to the Blachernae palaces. The sultans chose to move the court back to the tip of the peninsula and the Blachernae area after being sacked fell into abandonment.
This building became a celebrated pottery under Sultan Ahmet III and this saved it. Next to it there is a small gate called Kaligaria by the Byzantines and now Egri Kapi.

Details

Edirne Kapi

Edirne Kapi

On May 29, 1453 Mehmet II the young Sultan of Edirne entered the city through this gate. His cannons had opened several breaches in the walls between Edirne Kapi and Top Kapi (which means Cannon Gate) and his janissaries (the Sultan's guards) entered through them and killed Constantine XI, the last emperor.

Mihrimah Camii

Mihrimah Camii


Mimar Sinan is the most famous Turkish architect. He was for more than 50 years the sultan's architect and in such a role he built more than 80 mosques. In 1562-65 he built this mosque next to Edirne Kapi for Mihrimah, the daughter of Suleiman the Magnificent. Previously, in 1548, Sinan had built Mihrimah a mosque in Uskudar, a town (now part of Greater Istanbul) on the Asian side of the Bosphorus. That mosque had very little light inside, so now Sinan designs a dome supported by four tall pillars in order to open many windows.

A View of the Past

A view of the past

This XIXth century view shows the walls going down towards the Golden Horn.

Life in the Walls

Life in the Walls

The inner walls between Edirne Kapi and Top Kapi provide shelter for various activities, including a stable.

Towards Top Kapi (Hukum Kapisi)

Walls between Edirne Kapi and Top Kapi

In this stretch of the walls the double curtain and how the towers were located is clearly visible. In the background Mihrimah Camii (see a XIXth century view of this stretch of the walls).
Hucum Kapisi (Gate of the Assault) was named by the Ottomans after the fierce fighting which took place to open a breach in the towers which protected it (image below)

Hucum Kapisiu

Introduction to this section
From Top Kapi to Yedikule Kapi
From Yedikule Kapi to Mermer Kule
The Maritime Walls
Roman memories
A glimpse of Baroque in Istanbul