Great Palace of Constantinople
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The Byzantine Great Palace, located in Constantinople where the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus meet, was the home of Byzantine emperors for approximately 800 years. When Constantine I founded the city of Constantinople in 330, he planned out a palace for himself and his heirs. The palace was located between the Hippodrome of Constantinople and Hagia Sophia.
The Palace's structure is considered by scholars to have been a series of pavilions, much like the Ottoman-era Topkapı Palace that succeeded it. It contained a vast ceremonial suite, known as the Palace of Daphne and the total structure exceeded 20,000 square feet. Presently, less than one fourth of the total square footage has been excavated.
When Mehmed II entered the city in 1453, he discovered the Great Palace to by ruined and abandoned. As he wandered its empty halls and pavillions, he allegedly whispered a quote from the Persian poet, Ferdowsi: “The spider spins his web in the Palace of the Caesars, / An owl hoots in the towers of Afrasiyab.”
Much of it was demolished in the general rebuilding of Constantinople in the early years of the Ottoman era. However, debris clean-up from an early 20th century fire uncovered a section of the Great Palace. On this site prison cells, many large rooms, and possibly tombs were found following the fire. Contemporary excations are continuing in Istanbul to further uncover the Great Palace of Constantinople.
See also
- Bucoleon - the main harbor of the Palace
- Blachernae - another imperial residence in Constantinople
External links
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