Capital with bust of the Archangel Michael Constantinople, second half of the 13th century At the MET

Hellenistic/Galatian hilltop fortification of Güzelcekale (Ankara/historic Galatia) ... Photos taken today

Marble icon with the Orant Virgin 11th century, Mangana (Constantinople) At the Istanbul Archaeological Museums

Hagia Sophia by Gaspare Fossati (1852) From "Aya Sofia, Constantinople, As Recently Restored by Order of H.M. the Sultan Abdul Medjid, from the original drawings by Chevalier Gaspard Fossati, lithographed by Louis Haghe, esq"

Militant Christ from the Archbishop’s Chapel (Museo Arcivescovile) in Ravenna 6th-century mosaic with Christ dressed a military general, holding a cross, with a lion and snake under his feet. The Latin inscription from John 14:6 reads: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Frescoes and ruins of the Church of St. Euphemia - formerly Late Antique Palace of Antiochus by the Hippodrome of Constantinople Photos by Nicholas V. Artamonoff (1940s) Today is the feast day of St. Euphemia

Byzantine castle and Early Ottoman mosque at Tophisar/Bursa, probably Lentiana in historic Hellespont Photos from recent excursion to Bithynia and the Hellespont (modern Bursa, Yalova, Bilecik, and Balıkesir)

Sheep dog and sheep by the "Bridge of Constantine" at Uluabat/historic Lopadion in Mysia/Hellespont (modern Bursa Province) Photo taken today

Dog footprints in Byzantine brick from the walls of Nicaea/modern İznik Photo from yesterday's visit

Gül Mosque (traditionally identified as “St. Theodosia”), Galata Tower and the Golden Horn from the terrace of the 16th-century Sultan Selim Mosque on the Fifth Hill of the City

Gül Camii (“Rose Mosque”), traditionally identified as the Byzantine Church of St. Theodosia

Photos from yesterday's visit to Nicaea/İznik Lefke Gate, Roman theater of Nicaea, Hagia Sophia, and the City Walls

Theodosian Walls Photos taken today

Silver head of Sasanian (Persian) king, Shapur II (309-379) at the MET Shapur II fought the Romans (under Constantius II and other emperors) for many years; Julian died in 363 after fighting the Sasanian Persians.

Lions of Boukoleon Palace At Istanbul Archaeological Museums

“Kariye Camii” (formerly Chora Monastery)by Beşiktaşlı Tevfik (1871-1914)

Happy Byzantine New Year 7534 September 1, 7534 (2025) celebrates to day and year of creation

Arch of Constantine from the Colosseum in Rome

Preview of Gül Camii (“Rose Mosque”) video, traditionally identified as the Byzantine Church of St. Theodosia, and noteworthy for its many legends. youtu.be/DNKjKzRaDe8

Byzantine and Ottoman Fortifications on the Bosphorus Galata Tower built by the Genoese around 1348, Ottoman Kız Kulesi (“Maiden’s Tower”) built on site of 12th-century Tower of Arkla Island, Hieron Castle (Yoros Kalesi) built by the Byzantines, Anadolu Hisarı built by Sultan Bayezid I around 1394

Ruins of Late Antique churches at Anemourion (near modern Anamur/Mersin). The city was a bishopric by the Mediterranean in Cilicia/Isauria that flourished in the 4th and 5th centuries.

Byzantine Citadel of Kütahya Photo by Guillaume Berggren (1835-1920)

Kütahya, ancient Phrygian city of Kotyaion, has one of the most impressive Byzantine fortifications of Anatolia. Photos taken yesterday

Some glimpses from today's visit to the ancient Lycian city Limyra (modern Antalya), including its Early Byzantine church, Roman theater, and Lycian tomb Looking forward to sharing more about this site in the future

Some glimpses from today's visit to Olympos, an ancient city that became a pilgrimage center in the Early Byzantine era A special thanks to Dr. Evcim and @olymposkazisi for the tour Looking forward to sharing much more about this spectacular site in the future

Two spearmen and tiger One of the "hunting scenes in the arena" from the Great Palace Mosaic Museum

Ruins of Damastris Palace in Sancaktepe/Istanbul, Aydos Kalesi (Aetos Castle) in Sultanbeyli/Istanbul, Seyrek Castle (historic Astrabeke) in Kocaeli, and Harmantepe Castle in Sakarya Photos from recent excursion to the historic region of Bithynia

Dormition of the Virgin Mary at Chora/Kariye Camii Today is the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary

Fortifications of Mystras, site of a Frankish castle and later the seat of the Despotate of Morea

Piroska, Eirene of Hungary, in Hagia Sophia. Piroska was the daughter of King Ladislaus I of Hungary, wife of John II Komnenos, mother of Manuel I Komnenos, and founder of the Pantokrator Monastery. Later she was venerated as a saint. Today, August 13, is her feast day.

The Church of the Transfiguration of Christ at Gardenitsa is a Middle Byzantine church in Inner Mani in southern Greece.

Solidus of Constans II (641-668) With sons Constantine IV, Heraclius, and Tiberius Minted in Constantinople (663-668) At Dumbarton Oaks

Video (preview) on the 7th-century Wall of Heraclius at Blachernai (modern Ayvansaray/Istanbul), which was built by Emperor Heraclius after the Siege of Constantinople by the Persians and Avars in 626. youtu.be/2GQYohXxNMw

Virgin and Christ Child from dome in the inner narthex of Chora/Kariye Camii

Byzantine Marriage Belt late 6th century - early 7th century At Dumbarton Oaks

Mosaic with enthroned Christ and prostrated emperor in the narthex of Hagia Sophia

Inscription of John VIII Palaiologos from Outer Tower 34a (1439) near Pege Gate/Silivri Kapı + Ἰω(άννου) ἐν Χ(ριστ)ῷ αὐτο|κράτο[ρος τ]οῦ Παλαι|[ολόγου]. Κατὰ | [μῆνα ἀπρί]λιον | ͵ςϡμθ΄ |ἔτους “(Tower) of John Palaiologos, Emperor in Christ; in the month of April of the year 6947 (1439).”

Necklace with Pendant of Aphrodite Anadyomene Gold and lapis lazuli/early 7th century At Dumbarton Oaks

Tower and gate of Vize (historic Bizye), towers of Pınarhisar Castle (historic Brysis), tower of Polos Castle (modern Yoğuntaş) - all sites in historic Thrace (modern Kırklareli Province) Photos taken today

The Long Walls of Thrace was built by Anastasius (491-518) west of Constantinople between the Black Sea and Marmara Sea Photos of the northern section of these walls ending at the cliffs of Evcik by the ruins of the Church of St. George taken today

Byzantine remains of a church and fortification of İkiz Islands on Lake Bafa (Mount Latmos). The elaborately decorated church on the Small İkiz Island was part of a monastery and probably dates to the 13th c. The inscription indicates it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and names a monk Methodios.

The archaeological site at Dragos in Kartal/Istanbul consists of ruins of a bath, church, and residential building dating to the Early Byzantine era. Dragos is possibly the site of the Palace of Bryas. Its church is depicted in the Madrid Skylitzes.

The Walls of Blachernai (modern Ayvansaray/Istanbul) were built by a series of emperors from Heraclius to Manuel Komnenos. Please consider supporting this self-funded project documenting and promoting Byzantine cultural heritage on Patreon.

The Antioch Chalice is a Late Antique silver vessel from Syria now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It was claimed that it was the Holy Grail when it was first discovered in the early 20th century.

Coronation of Emperor Theophilos in 829 From the 12th-century Madrid Skylitzes Biblioteca Nacional de España

Hagia Sophia, Hagia Eirene, and the Marmara Sea before sunset

Hagia Sophia, the Sultanahmet (Blue) Mosque, and the Marmara Sea Anonymous, c. 1900

Mosaic of Empress Theodora and her court at San Vitale, Ravenna (6th century)

It’s haunted by ghosts of chariots. I’m not kidding. Try spending time there on a summer night at 4 AM in the morning.

The Hippodrome of Constantinople continued to function until around 1200 after which it was severely damaged by the Crusaders. However much still survived, allowing for it to become Ottoman Kostantiniyye's main public space. Engraving from Onofrio Panvinio (c. mid 16th century)