Saksagan
Burial Practices in Athens
In Athens, the burial customs are quite different from those in many other countries. When a body is lowered into the grave, the coffin...
Purpose of Manuel’s Wall
The wall built by Emperor Manuel Comnenus was constructed to strengthen the defenses of the Palace of Blachernae, which had become the preferred residence...
Joining Old and New Walls
If the western spur of the Sixth Hill was already protected by walls when the Theodosian Walls were built (in the early 5th century),...
Confusion About the City’s Old Defenses
One of the biggest problems with the idea that the walls around the western spur of the Sixth Hill were simply part of the...
The Simplicity and Beauty of St. Sophia’s Interior
Inside St. Sophia, there are no tombs, statues, or altars to obstruct the view in any direction. The space is open, allowing visitors to...
The Dome of St. Sophia A Monumental Achievement
It is often claimed that the dome of St. Sophia was the first of its kind ever built, but this is not entirely true....
The Cost and Effort Behind St. Sophia
The true cost of building St. Sophia is unknown. However, we do know that the construction placed a heavy burden on everyone in the...
Carriages from the Harem
When a carriage arrived with a black man sitting in the footman’s place, we knew it carried ladies from the Sultan’s harem, with a...
A Sacred Greeting to the Sultan
The loud cry heard as the Sultan passes is a traditional greeting from faithful Muslims. It is a religious expression of devotion to the...
Friday Prayers at Hamidieh Mosque
Sultan Abdul Hamid performs his public prayers at the Hamidieh Mosque. This beautiful mosque is located inside the imperial park, close to a tall...
