Byzantine Constantinople, the walls of the city and adjoining historical sites — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Byzantine Constantinople, the walls of the city and adjoining historical sites
John Stuart Mill · en
Over the northern entrance to the lower chamber in the tower west of the
gateway were found, until recently, two blocks of stone, upon which the
name of St. Pantoleon was rudely carved between the figures of two
peacocks, or phœnixes, symbols of the immortality that rose from the
fires of martyrdom. Possibly, the chamber was a chapel in which persons
entering or leaving the city could perform their devotions. According to
Stephen of Novgorod, the relics of St. Pantoleon reposed in the
adjoining Church of the Theotokos of Blachernæ.[661]
In the street to the rear of the tower is the small Mosque Toklou Dedè
Mesdjidi, formerly, it is supposed, the Church of St. Thekla,[662] in
the quarter of Blachernæ.
On the east side of the street leading from the Porta Kiliomenè to the
Church of Blachernæ remains are found of a large two-storied Byzantine
edifice, with three aisles. Its original destination cannot be
determined with any degree of certainty. By some authorities[663] the
building is supposed to have been the Porticus Cariana (Καριανὸν
Ἔμβολον), which the Emperor Maurice erected, and upon the walls of which
scenes in his life, from his childhood until his accession to the
throne, were pourtrayed.[664]
The Bay of Aivan Serai was called the Bay of Blachernæ (ὁ πρὸς Βλαχέρνας
κόλπος), and had a dockyard known as the Neorion at Blachernæ (τὸ ἐν
Βλαχέρναις νεώριον).[665]
Proceeding eastwards, a few paces bring us to a breach in the wall
leading to the Mosque Atik Mustapha Pasha Djamissi, supposed to be the
Byzantine Church of SS. Peter and Mark, which was erected in 458 by two
patricians, Galbius and Candidus, upon the shore of the Golden Horn, in
the quarter of Blachernæ. The sanctuary claimed the honour of having
enshrined “the Girdle of the Blessed Virgin,” before that relic was
placed in the church specially dedicated to the Theotokos in this part
of the city.[666] In the street to the west of the mosque lies the
marble baptismal font of the church, cruciform, and having three steps
within it leading to the bottom.
In a chrysoboullon of John Palæologus dated 1342, mention is made of the
Gate of St. Anastasia (Πύλη τῆς ἁγίας Ἀναστασίας) in this part of the
city.[667] The Russian pilgrim, who visited Constantinople in the
fifteenth century (1424-1453), speaks of a chapel containing the relics
of St. Anastasia near the Church of Blachernæ.[668]