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The Tower of Anemas and the Tower of Isaac Angelus
The next section of the city walls to be examined begins with a tower bearing an inscription in honor of Emperor Isaac II Angelus....
The Palace of Blachernae in the Last Centuries of Byzantium
After the Latin Empire took control of Constantinople in 1204, Baldwin II, the last Latin emperor, made the Palace of Blachernae his official residence....
The Palace of Blachernae
An Imperial Residence in the Northwest of Constantinople
The Palace of Blachernae was one of the most important imperial residences in Byzantine Constantinople, especially during...
Why Buildings in Constantinople Are Poorly Made
There are several reasons, besides the difficult land layout, for why the houses in Constantinople are built cheaply and without much care.
One main reason...
Carrying Loads the Hard Way
In Constantinople, there are only a few carts and many donkeys carrying goods in baskets on their backs. However, heavy cargo such as wood,...
A City Seen from One Spot
From many places in Constantinople, you can see almost the entire city. Few cities in the world offer such a wide view from a...
The Price of Prosperity in Ottoman Europe
Wealth Attracts Trouble
In the Ottoman-controlled provinces of Europe, no man was free to improve his life. Whenever someone saved money or gained property, they...
A Land of Constant Conflict
For many centuries, the territory now known as Bulgaria was fought over again and again. Until the end of the 14th century, Christian kingdoms...
The Great Turk and His Capital
The Lost Provinces
The next conflict in Europe may again take place in the Balkan Peninsula. This region lies south of Austria-Hungary. It is bordered...
The Art of Cooking in Byzantine Times
Cooking is an art, not a science. Even when we have recipes, cooks must interpret and change them to make food enjoyable. When there...
