Column of the Goths

Submitted by Iza on Fri, 03/11/2022 - 11:47

Perhaps the oldest surviving Roman monument in Istanbul is the Column of the Goths, located in the northern part of Gülhane Park. This monument, 18.5 meters high, consists of a rectangular base and a column made of Proconnesian marble, topped with a capital in the Corinthian order.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Istanbul: "Byzantine Secrets of Istanbul".

February 2022 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 03/01/2022 - 08:40

While February 2022 was a relatively quiet month in the context of archaeological discoveries made in the area of Turkey, several significant events took place in that month. Rare swords from the Byzantine Empire were discovered in a fortified city of Amorium, a military stronghold located between the Byzantine capital of Constantinople and the cities of Nicaea and Ancyra. Several 2,500-year-old fortifications were uncovered in the ancient city of Pergamon. Moreover, Roman remains dating back 1,800 years were found in a valley near the Balkayası village of Ağın district in the eastern province of Elazığ. Finally, new findings unearthed during excavations in the ancient city of Dara in the southeastern province of Mardin revealed that the historical site had been an important olive production and trade centre.

Hagia Eirene Church

Submitted by Iza on Thu, 02/03/2022 - 15:33

Similarly to the much better-known church of Constantinople -- Hagia Sophia -- also the present-day Hagia Eirene represents the last of many places of worship to be erected in the same location over many centuries. The well-preserved church, named after the Holy Peace, can now be found in the first courtyard of Istanbul's Topkapı Palace. Moreover, it is one of the few Eastern Roman churches in Constantinople that has never been converted into a mosque, and now functions as a museum and a concert hall.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Istanbul: "Byzantine Secrets of Istanbul".

January 2022 in Turkish archaeology

Submitted by Iza on Tue, 02/01/2022 - 14:32

The beginning of 2022 brought some major archaeological discoveries in the area of Turkey. In the ancient city of Perre, located in the southeastern province of Adiyaman, archaeologists uncovered a bronze military diploma dating back 2000 years. In the ancient city of Kastabala, located in Turkey's southern province of Osmaniye, relief masks were unearthed on the architectural blocks of the theater. Moreover, historical graves were found during a foundation excavation at a construction site near the ancient city of Antandros, located in the Edremit district of Turkey's western Balıkesir province.

Hydreion and Memmius Monument in Ephesus

Submitted by Iza on Sun, 01/30/2022 - 11:37

The remains of the impressive fountain known as the Hydreion occupy a space near the intersection of the Curetes Street and the so-called Terrace House Street. This street covered the upper storeys of the Terrace Houses, and it got down and reached the main artery of Curetes Street just at the fountain.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".