Some historians, including Labarte and Schlumberger, argue that Emperor Nicephorus Phocas surrounded the Palace of Bucoleon with special defensive works, effectively making it a citadel within the fortifications of the Great Palace. These scholars suggest that the palace was not just a luxurious residence but also a secure stronghold, designed to withstand potential attacks. However, other authorities on Byzantine history, such as Leo Diaconus, Cedrenus, and Zonaras, do not explicitly mention such fortifications around the palace. It is possible that while defensive works existed, they were not deemed important enough to record in historical accounts Heraclius and the Defence of Hormisdas.
Historical Events at the Bucoleon
The Palace and Harbour of the Bucoleon were not only important for their architecture but also for the historical events that took place there. In 919, Romanus Lecapenus, a high-ranking admiral of the Byzantine fleet, staged a naval demonstration at the Bucoleon. His show of force forced Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus to accept Romanus as a co-emperor and transfer the administration of state affairs to him. This event highlights the political significance of the palace and its strategic harbour.
Remains of Byzantine Fortifications
Archaeological evidence shows that portions of defensive walls associated with the Bucoleon still exist. In the garden of a Turkish house to the north of the lower palace, a section of a Byzantine wall remains standing. This wall is about 130 feet long and 40 feet high. It was discovered during construction work for the Roumelian Railway when nearby buildings were demolished. The wall originally featured a large vaulted gateway, over 15 feet high, supported by four massive marble columns. Although the gateway and columns have since disappeared, the wall itself provides insight into the scale and strength of the palace’s defences.
If extended southwards, the wall would meet the tower at the eastern end of the lower palace. To the north, it would have connected with the retaining wall of the terrace on which the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and its courtyards now stand. The wall contains loopholes facing east, designed for defensive use, and a passage runs along its rear, with arches at regular intervals. This construction shows careful planning to allow defenders to move safely and monitor the area Private Guides Turkey.
Significance of the Bucoleon’s Defences
Although historical sources vary on the details, it is clear that the Bucoleon was more than a royal residence. Its strategic position on the Sea of Marmora, combined with walls, gates, and loopholes, made it a secure and defensible location within the city. The palace’s defensive features, alongside its harbour, also allowed it to play a central role in political and military events in Byzantine Constantinople. Even today, the remains of its walls offer valuable insights into the planning, architecture, and security measures of the imperial palaces.
