The Walls of Constantinople

Romance and the history of walled cities are inseparable. Who has not felt this to be so at the sight of hoary ruins lichen-clad and ivy-mantled, that proudly rear their battered crests despite the ravages of time and man's destructive instincts. It is within walled cities that the life of civilized man began: the walls guarded him against barbarian foes, behind their shelter he found the security necessary to his cultural development, in their defence he showed his finest qualities. And such a city--and such a history is that of Ancient Byzantium, the City of Constantine, the Castle of Cæsar.

What wonder then that man should endeavour to express by pen and pencil his sense of the greatness and beauty, the Romance of a Walled City such as Constantinople. The more so that a movement is on foot to remove these ancient landmarks of the history of Europe and Asia.

True there are other works on this same subject, works by men deeply learned in the history of this fair city, works that bid fair to outlive the city walls if the fell intent of destroying them is carried into execution, and from these men and their works I derived inspiration and information, and so wish to chronicle my gratitude to them--Sir Edwin Pears and Professor van Millingen of Robert College, Constantinople. There are many others too in Constantinople to whom my thanks are due--His Majesty's Vice-Consul, my host, his colleagues, now my friends, and many others too numerous to mention. They all have helped me in this work, and I am grateful for the opportunity offered me of here recording my thankfulness for their kind offices.

B. GRANVILLE BAKER.

NOTE.--As I have taken the historical events recorded in this book not in chronological order, but as they occurred to me on a tour round the walls of Constantinople, I have appended a brief chronological table, for the guidance of my readers and for the elucidation of this work.

CONTENTS

CHAP. PAGE

I CONSTANTINOPLE 13

II THE APPROACH TO THE CITY BY THE BOSPHORUS 28

III SERAGLIO POINT 54

IV SERAGLIO POINT (continued) 84

V THE WALLS BY THE SEA OF MARMORA 101

VI THE GOLDEN GATE 124

VII THE GOLDEN GATE (continued) 147

VIII THE WALLS OF THEODOSIUS TO THE GATE OF ST. ROMANUS 172

IX THE VALLEY OF THE LYCUS 198

X FROM THE GATE OF EDIRNÉ TO THE GOLDEN HORN 225

ENVOI 252

APPENDIX 255

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CONSTANTINOPLE FROM THE SEA OF MARMORA Frontispiece

Facing page

GENOESE CASTLE AT ENTRANCE TO BOSPHORUS FROM THE BLACK SEA 31

ANATOLI HISSAR, OR THE CASTLE OF ASIA 39

ROUMELI HISSAR, OR THE CASTLE OF EUROPE 43

THE TOWER OF GALATA 51

THE LANDWARD WALLS OF THE SERAGLIO 58

THE PALACE OF HORMISDAS, OR JUSTINIAN 101

THE SEA-WALL 117

THE MARBLE TOWER 122

POSTERN WITH INSCRIPTIONS OF BASIL II AND CONSTANTINE IX 124

THE GOLDEN GATE FROM SOUTH-WEST 126

THE APPROACH TO THE GOLDEN GATE FROM NORTH-WEST 146

YEDI KOULÉ KAPOUSSI, OR GATE OF THE SEVEN TOWERS 170

PART OF TURKISH FORTRESS OF YEDI KOULÉ 172

THEODOSIAN WALL AND APPROACH TO BELGRADE KAPOUSSI, SECOND MILITARY STATE 183

THEODOSIAN WALL--A BROKEN TOWER, OUTSIDE 188

THEODOSIAN WALL--A BROKEN TOWER, INSIDE 190

GATE OF RHEGIUM, OR YEDI MEVLEVI HANEH 193

TOP KAPOUSSI, GATE OF ST. ROMANUS 194

THIRD MILITARY GATE 196

THE VALLEY OF THE LYCUS, LOOKING NORTH 199

THE VALLEY OF THE LYCUS FROM INSIDE THE WALLS 201

THE VALLEY OF THE LYCUS, SHOWING WHERE THE LAST EMPEROR FELL 224

THE PALACE OF THE PORPHYROGENITUS FROM THE FOSSE 226

THE PALACE OF THE PORPHYROGENITUS FROM WITHIN THE WALLS 228

TOWER OF MANUEL COMNENUS 232

GATE OF THE BOOTMAKERS, OR THE CROOKED GATE 241

WALL OF PALÆOLOGIAN REPAIR 244

TOWERS OF ISAAC ANGELUS AND ANEMAS 246

OLD HOUSE IN THE PHANAR 249

THE WALLS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

CHAPTER I

CONSTANTINOPLE

Byzas the seafarer stood in the sacred copse, the copse of fir-trees dedicated to his father Poseidon. His soul was filled with awe, for he was listening for an answer to his prayer; he had prayed for help and guidance in his next venture out upon the seas, and had brought rich gifts with him.