Sultanahmet and its environs harbor Istanbul's
most important historical treasures. The Hagia
Sophia, Hagia Eirene and the Hippodrome all
provide visitors with clues to the splendor of
this area in the Byzantine period. But despite its
having been built over a very large area, the
exact location of the Byzantine Imperial Palace is
difficult to determine today. Archeologists,
Byzantinists, art historians and architects from
many countries have been working since the 19th
century to determine the location of the palace
area, to discover the historical sequence of its
construction, to undertake scientific excavations
and to ascertain and reconstruct its architecture.

Surrounded by magnificent sea walls, the palace
complex, which was laid out in its main lines by
the Emperor Constantine himself, extended from the
Hagia Sophia to the Hippodrome and from there to
the shore. Situated within this arrangement were
buildings with courtyards, throne rooms and
audience chambers, churches and chapels, gardens
with fountains, libraries, assembly buildings,
baths and stadiums. In later centuries the palace
buildings were further expanded, undergoing change
and the addition of new structures.

CITY WALLS Hypoege of Silivrikapi
During the restoration of the land walls in 1988 the level of the earth was decreased and the last 50 years' most important site came to light. Due to disagreement between the experts and cultural departments of the government the immediate preventative measurements were not taken. Finally an iron gate was placed at the entrance, which made it more attractive to the treasure hunters. Later a TV special was made called "Sur Gunlugu 1993" (Diary o the walls 1993). The restoration of the hypoege was based on this film. In 1994 it was published by Serdaroglu and Deckers. Inside the hypoege there were stone relievos which showed 4th - 5th century Byzantine sculpture technics. The window was one of a kind, it was a rare example of the Byzantine architecture, and unfortunately today we only have the pictures of it. There were also six tomb lids and a sarcophagus, which were destroyed through the years, passed. The thieves have broken the lids into 18 pieces but before succeeded stealing them they were captured by the police and all of the pieces were transferred to the archaeological museum of Istanbul. The frescoes of the hypoege were covered with plaster, which were removed carelessly, today they too are gone.