The Byzantine Legacy
@thebyzantinelegacy.bsky.social
Art, architecture, and history from Late Antique, Early Christian, and the Byzantine eras
Capital with winged horses
From the Hippodrome of Constantinople (first half 6th century)
At Istanbul Archaeological Museums
From the Hippodrome of Constantinople (first half 6th century)
At Istanbul Archaeological Museums
November 25, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Capital with winged horses
From the Hippodrome of Constantinople (first half 6th century)
At Istanbul Archaeological Museums
From the Hippodrome of Constantinople (first half 6th century)
At Istanbul Archaeological Museums
Reused Medusa heads from the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) built by Justinian in the 6th century.
Once again, a special thanks to Dr. Kerim Altuğ for the visit.
Once again, a special thanks to Dr. Kerim Altuğ for the visit.
November 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reused Medusa heads from the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) built by Justinian in the 6th century.
Once again, a special thanks to Dr. Kerim Altuğ for the visit.
Once again, a special thanks to Dr. Kerim Altuğ for the visit.
Ainos (modern Enez/Edirne) was a fortified city on the Hebros (Maritsa/Meriç) River near the Aegean coast. Alexios I used it as his headquarters during his wars against the Pechenegs. After the Ottoman conquest of Morea (Peloponnese), Ainos was granted to the deposed despotes Demetrios Palaiologos.
November 21, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Ainos (modern Enez/Edirne) was a fortified city on the Hebros (Maritsa/Meriç) River near the Aegean coast. Alexios I used it as his headquarters during his wars against the Pechenegs. After the Ottoman conquest of Morea (Peloponnese), Ainos was granted to the deposed despotes Demetrios Palaiologos.
Hippodrome at Constantinople in mid-16th century
Engraving from Onofrio Panvinio “De ludis circensibus” (published 1600)
Engraving from Onofrio Panvinio “De ludis circensibus” (published 1600)
November 20, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Hippodrome at Constantinople in mid-16th century
Engraving from Onofrio Panvinio “De ludis circensibus” (published 1600)
Engraving from Onofrio Panvinio “De ludis circensibus” (published 1600)
Basilica A, ambo of Basilica B, and marble pieces from churches of Philippi, city of eastern Macedonia located on the Via Egnatia, the main Roman road running through the Balkans
November 19, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Basilica A, ambo of Basilica B, and marble pieces from churches of Philippi, city of eastern Macedonia located on the Via Egnatia, the main Roman road running through the Balkans
The Kırkçeşme aqueduct system, which brought water from the Belgrade Forest north of Ottoman Konstantiniyye (modern Istanbul), was built by the architect Sinan between 1554 and 1563. It likely corresponds to the aqueduct system built by Hadrian (117-138) to supply Byzantium...
November 17, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The Kırkçeşme aqueduct system, which brought water from the Belgrade Forest north of Ottoman Konstantiniyye (modern Istanbul), was built by the architect Sinan between 1554 and 1563. It likely corresponds to the aqueduct system built by Hadrian (117-138) to supply Byzantium...
Binbirdirek (“Thousand and One Column”) Cistern, originally located near the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is the second largest surviving covered cistern in modern Istanbul.
Old images by Guillaume Berggren (1870s),Thomas Allom (1836), and W.H. Bartlett (1838)
Old images by Guillaume Berggren (1870s),Thomas Allom (1836), and W.H. Bartlett (1838)
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Binbirdirek (“Thousand and One Column”) Cistern, originally located near the Hippodrome of Constantinople, is the second largest surviving covered cistern in modern Istanbul.
Old images by Guillaume Berggren (1870s),Thomas Allom (1836), and W.H. Bartlett (1838)
Old images by Guillaume Berggren (1870s),Thomas Allom (1836), and W.H. Bartlett (1838)
Cross and decorative mosaics from the narthex of Hagia Sophia
November 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Cross and decorative mosaics from the narthex of Hagia Sophia
Apse Mosaic of Christ Hyperagathos in funery chapel at former Pammakaristos/Fetihye Camii
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Apse Mosaic of Christ Hyperagathos in funery chapel at former Pammakaristos/Fetihye Camii
Southern wall of San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) by the Porphyry Tetrarchs and Porta della Carta, the entrance of the Doge's Palace in Venice
November 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Southern wall of San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica) by the Porphyry Tetrarchs and Porta della Carta, the entrance of the Doge's Palace in Venice
Macellum of Durrës (historic Dyrrachium) was a circular market probably built by Anastasios I (491-518), who was born there. The podium at its center likely had a statue of Anastasios I. Solidus [gold coin] of Anastasios I from Dumbarton Oaks added to the final image.
November 12, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Macellum of Durrës (historic Dyrrachium) was a circular market probably built by Anastasios I (491-518), who was born there. The podium at its center likely had a statue of Anastasios I. Solidus [gold coin] of Anastasios I from Dumbarton Oaks added to the final image.
Icon with Christ and St. Menas
From 8th-century Egypt
Now at the Louvre
Today is the feast day of St. Menas of Egypt
From 8th-century Egypt
Now at the Louvre
Today is the feast day of St. Menas of Egypt
November 11, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Icon with Christ and St. Menas
From 8th-century Egypt
Now at the Louvre
Today is the feast day of St. Menas of Egypt
From 8th-century Egypt
Now at the Louvre
Today is the feast day of St. Menas of Egypt
Lentiana, a fortified site mentioned in Byzantine sources, is likely the castle ruins near Tophisar in Bursa Province (in historic Mysia/Hellespont)
November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Lentiana, a fortified site mentioned in Byzantine sources, is likely the castle ruins near Tophisar in Bursa Province (in historic Mysia/Hellespont)
Lake Basilica and its tombs at İznik/historic Nicaea
In 2014, a Late Antique basilica church was discovered submerged underwater in İznik Lake. The church was located outside the walls of Nicaea, south of its lake harbor.
Photos from yesterday’s visit (and image Google Maps)
In 2014, a Late Antique basilica church was discovered submerged underwater in İznik Lake. The church was located outside the walls of Nicaea, south of its lake harbor.
Photos from yesterday’s visit (and image Google Maps)
November 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Lake Basilica and its tombs at İznik/historic Nicaea
In 2014, a Late Antique basilica church was discovered submerged underwater in İznik Lake. The church was located outside the walls of Nicaea, south of its lake harbor.
Photos from yesterday’s visit (and image Google Maps)
In 2014, a Late Antique basilica church was discovered submerged underwater in İznik Lake. The church was located outside the walls of Nicaea, south of its lake harbor.
Photos from yesterday’s visit (and image Google Maps)
"Vue de Sainte-Irène"
Photo of Hagia Eirene from the roof of Hagia Sophia by Albert Gabriel (before 1934)
From POP (la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine)/Ministère de la Culture France
Photo of Hagia Eirene from the roof of Hagia Sophia by Albert Gabriel (before 1934)
From POP (la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine)/Ministère de la Culture France
November 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Vue de Sainte-Irène"
Photo of Hagia Eirene from the roof of Hagia Sophia by Albert Gabriel (before 1934)
From POP (la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine)/Ministère de la Culture France
Photo of Hagia Eirene from the roof of Hagia Sophia by Albert Gabriel (before 1934)
From POP (la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine)/Ministère de la Culture France
The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Sarayı) likely played an important role in the Civil War of 1341-1347 that began when John VI Kantakouzenos failed to secure the regency for John V after the death of his father Andronikos III in 1341.
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 AM
The Palace of the Porphyrogenitus (Tekfur Sarayı) likely played an important role in the Civil War of 1341-1347 that began when John VI Kantakouzenos failed to secure the regency for John V after the death of his father Andronikos III in 1341.
Pendant of Empress Maria (c. 400) at the Louvre
Maria was the wife of Emperor Honorius, daughter of the patrician Stilicho and of Serena, niece of Theodosius I, and sister of Eucherius and Thermantia
Latin inscription: "Stelicho, Serena, Honori, Maria, vivatis in Deo [live in God]"
Maria was the wife of Emperor Honorius, daughter of the patrician Stilicho and of Serena, niece of Theodosius I, and sister of Eucherius and Thermantia
Latin inscription: "Stelicho, Serena, Honori, Maria, vivatis in Deo [live in God]"
November 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Pendant of Empress Maria (c. 400) at the Louvre
Maria was the wife of Emperor Honorius, daughter of the patrician Stilicho and of Serena, niece of Theodosius I, and sister of Eucherius and Thermantia
Latin inscription: "Stelicho, Serena, Honori, Maria, vivatis in Deo [live in God]"
Maria was the wife of Emperor Honorius, daughter of the patrician Stilicho and of Serena, niece of Theodosius I, and sister of Eucherius and Thermantia
Latin inscription: "Stelicho, Serena, Honori, Maria, vivatis in Deo [live in God]"
Castle at Şile (historic Chele)
When Andronikos I Komnenos blinded the young Alexios, son of Manuel Komnenos, he banished him to the fortified Chele in 1183. According to historian Choniates, Andronikos had a tower specifically built here as a place of exile.
When Andronikos I Komnenos blinded the young Alexios, son of Manuel Komnenos, he banished him to the fortified Chele in 1183. According to historian Choniates, Andronikos had a tower specifically built here as a place of exile.
November 4, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Castle at Şile (historic Chele)
When Andronikos I Komnenos blinded the young Alexios, son of Manuel Komnenos, he banished him to the fortified Chele in 1183. According to historian Choniates, Andronikos had a tower specifically built here as a place of exile.
When Andronikos I Komnenos blinded the young Alexios, son of Manuel Komnenos, he banished him to the fortified Chele in 1183. According to historian Choniates, Andronikos had a tower specifically built here as a place of exile.
Figurative mosaics in Hagia Sophia continued to be visible following the Ottoman Conquest of 1453, as seen in numerous visitor accounts. Christ in the dome was certainly visible throughout the 16th century, though it is uncertain exactly when it was covered.
November 3, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Figurative mosaics in Hagia Sophia continued to be visible following the Ottoman Conquest of 1453, as seen in numerous visitor accounts. Christ in the dome was certainly visible throughout the 16th century, though it is uncertain exactly when it was covered.
Porphyry Tetrarchs at Venice
The statue group of the Tetrarchs was perhaps first set up in Nicomedia. It was then moved to the Philadelphion in Constantinople, where they were later interpreted as the sons of Constantine. The group came to Venice with other loot from the Fourth Crusade of 1204.
The statue group of the Tetrarchs was perhaps first set up in Nicomedia. It was then moved to the Philadelphion in Constantinople, where they were later interpreted as the sons of Constantine. The group came to Venice with other loot from the Fourth Crusade of 1204.
November 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Porphyry Tetrarchs at Venice
The statue group of the Tetrarchs was perhaps first set up in Nicomedia. It was then moved to the Philadelphion in Constantinople, where they were later interpreted as the sons of Constantine. The group came to Venice with other loot from the Fourth Crusade of 1204.
The statue group of the Tetrarchs was perhaps first set up in Nicomedia. It was then moved to the Philadelphion in Constantinople, where they were later interpreted as the sons of Constantine. The group came to Venice with other loot from the Fourth Crusade of 1204.
Horned tiger griffin eating a lizard at Great Palace Mosaic Museum
October 31, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Horned tiger griffin eating a lizard at Great Palace Mosaic Museum
The Long Wall of Thrace (Anastasian Wall)
youtu.be/BnRxZNN5eQA
youtu.be/BnRxZNN5eQA
The Long Wall of Thrace (Anastasian Wall)
YouTube video by The Byzantine Legacy
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The Long Wall of Thrace (Anastasian Wall)
youtu.be/BnRxZNN5eQA
youtu.be/BnRxZNN5eQA
Colossus of Constantine at the Capitoline Museums comes from the Basilica of Maxentius, which was finished by Constantine after he defeated Maxentius in 312.
October 28, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Colossus of Constantine at the Capitoline Museums comes from the Basilica of Maxentius, which was finished by Constantine after he defeated Maxentius in 312.
Children thanking St. Demetrios, St. Demetrios with an angel, St. Demetrios with church patrons at the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki
Today is the feast day of St. Demetrios
Today is the feast day of St. Demetrios
October 26, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Children thanking St. Demetrios, St. Demetrios with an angel, St. Demetrios with church patrons at the Church of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki
Today is the feast day of St. Demetrios
Today is the feast day of St. Demetrios
Transfiguration of Christ, Anastasis (Resurrection), and fragmentary Christ Pantokrator and the Prophets in the dome of the early 14th-century Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki
October 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Transfiguration of Christ, Anastasis (Resurrection), and fragmentary Christ Pantokrator and the Prophets in the dome of the early 14th-century Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki