Palace Blachernae
The Blachernae designate an area north of Constantinople , located between the monastery of Chora , the Gate of Adrianople and the Golden Horn and housing, in addition to a palace, one of the 24 gates in the wall of Theodosius II , is called Blachernae and the basilica of Saint Mary Mother of God, called "Santa Maria Blachernae.
Summary |
History
After being widely used by the emperors until 1204 , the palace became the residence of Blachernae official Latin Emperors of Constantinople.
When in 1259 Michael VIII Palaeologus restored the Byzantine Empire, the Court reinstated the Grand Palais.
The palace became Blachernae however the final seat of the imperial court under the emperors of the Palaeologus dynasty , the Grand Palais having fallen into disrepair, making it difficult living.
The last emperor, Constantine XI , died sword in hand during a final assault on the door of Blachernae.
Description
Spread over an area of 2 square kilometers, the field of imperial Blachernae skirted the walls of Theodosius downwards since the first of the sixth hill of Heraclius to the walls, along the Golden Horn. All that remains today of this monumental few items scattered around the neighborhood. After the conquest of the city, it was gradually abandoned and demolished.
Like all oriental palaces, and like the sacred palace, the palace of Blachernae appeared as a succession of buildings to which every emperor added his own addictions during his reign. Each of the constructs of this set was considered a palace named after the emperor who had it built.
In the fall of Constantinople in May 1453, the imperial estate of Blachernae included the following key components:
Palace of Alexius Comnenus
The palace of Alexius Comnenus dominates the Golden Horn , the countryside outside the walls and part of the city. The main building, which housed the imperial apartments, the throne room and other rooms, was followed to the west by another building to reception rooms, sitting on the ground and walls opening onto the countryside. Abandoned in 1453 , he was later transformed into a prison, 3 floors with 12 rooms is always visible, and partially demolished. On his site are now the current Ayvaz Efendi Mosque and the ruins of the convent Emin Buhari.
Palace of Anastasius
The location of this building is now difficult.
Palace of the Porphyrogenitus
The Palace of Porphyrogenitus is located between Gate of Adrianople and the door Kaligaria. It was built between 1261 and 1291 by Constantine Palaiologos, a son of Michael VIII , but its foundations belong to an older building of the tenth and eleventh century, built between 944 and 959 Basilica of Saint Mary Mother of God The Basilica of Saint Mary Mother of God, called "Santa Maria Blachernae" was the holiest shrine of Constantinople. A first building was erected on this site in 452 by Empress Pulcherie to house the Blessed Holy Robe and Veil, brought from Palestine. In 473 , Emperor Leo I built another church, near the chapel Pulcherie, to which he gave the name of Our Lady of Blachernae. Justinian and Basil I and the Macedonian Leo VI rebuilt and embellished the sanctuary. The church was finally destroyed by an accidental fire in 1434. The Shroud of Turin was exhibited until he was returned to the West by the Crusaders after the fall of Constantinople in 1204. The Tower of Isaac Angelus got his name after 1453 in memory of Emperor Isaac II , who had been imprisoned and whose remains are now available. The dependence is fortified Kastellion who commanded the passage of the door Blachernae and included two doors, four towers and three smaller ones, and a church. The door was initially simple Blachernae city gate and was subsequently reserved for the emperor, when Blachernae became an imperial residence. The Church of St. Peter and St. Mark was probably higher during the reign of Leo I by two Roman patricians and Galbien Candios in 458. Tour of Isaac Angel
Kastellion
Gate Blachernae
Church of St. Peter and St. Mark
References
See also
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