Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

  SARCOPHAGUS COLLECTION OF THE ISTANBUL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUMS   The sarcophagi exhibited in this hall are part of the Museum’s Collection of Stone Artifacts. They  were acquired towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, when the Ottoman Empire was dominant in the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, and brought to the Müze-i Humayun in İstanbul. as the Archaeological Museum was then known. They stem from towns within a wide geographical range, Western as well as Eastern: Ephesos, Crete, Durazzo (İşkodra), Thessalonica, Tripoli, Sidon (Sayda) and Tyre (Lebanon).   During the period of the Eastern Roman Empire, Asia Minor was an are of great importance. The rich marble quarries of Anatolia were operated by the Empire and marble was used for the decoration of both civil and religious edifices. In the 2nd century A.D particularly, when sarcophagi became very popular, the quarries were in full use. The main quarries were located in Ephesos, Prokon...

The construction of Yedikule Fortress, famous for its dungeons, took place between 413 and 439. It was commissioned by the Eastern Roman Emperor 2nd Theodosius, who valued architecture. Initially, a victory arch was built with the purpose of being used for the entrance to the city upon returning from wars. During the reign of 3rd Theodosius, it was converted into a gate as part of the construction of sea walls to defend against attacks from the Sea of Marmara, and it became known as the Golden Gate. For centuries, the Golden Gate served the function of welcoming victorious emperors returning from wars. Ceremonies were held at this gate for emperors who returned from victorious battles, and they entered the city accompanied by processions. The main ceremonial gate, known as "Porta Aurea" during the Eastern Roman period and "Yedikule Gate" during the Ottoman period, was one of the most important structures of the land walls. The Via Egnatia, an intercity road connecti...