Repairs to the Seaward Walls of Constantinople in the 14th Century

Conflict with the Genoese of Galata

In the mid-14th century, the Byzantine Empire faced not only political struggles but also external threats from the Genoese colony of Galata, located across the Golden Horn. The Genoese were powerful traders, and their rivalry with Constantinople often led to open conflict.

In 1348, the Genoese launched a violent assault on the northern side of the city. Although they did not succeed in breaching the city walls, they caused serious damage to the shipping docks, timber-stores, and houses situated along the water’s edge. This attack revealed the weaknesses of the city’s seaward fortifications, especially those facing the Golden Horn.

The Great Threat of 1351

Matters became even more dangerous in 1351, when Genoa sent a large fleet under the command of Doria to attack Constantinople. This mission was intended to support the demands and claims of the Genoese colony at Galata. On its way through the Sea of Marmara, the fleet captured the fortified town of Heraclea, a shocking event that caused panic in the Byzantine capital Bulgaria Tours.

With the enemy fleet approaching, Emperor John VI Cantacuzene acted quickly. He ordered immediate repairs to the seaward walls:

Damaged sections were rebuilt,

The walls were raised in height,

Houses in front of the walls were removed to give defenders a clear view,

Towers were heightened using wooden constructions placed on top, following the usual defensive practice of the time.

The Construction of a Defensive Moat

Cantacuzene went even further in his preparations. To strengthen the city’s defenses, he ordered the digging of a deep moat in front of the Golden Horn walls. This moat stretched all the way from the Gate Xyliné (at Ayvansaray) to the Gate of Eugenius (near today’s Yalı Köşkü Kapısı, close to Seraglio Point).

This moat not only slowed down potential attackers but also acted as an additional barrier against siege machines and naval assaults. These measures demonstrate how seriously the Byzantines viewed the Genoese threat in 1351.

Evidence of the Repairs

A fascinating trace of these defensive works survives. On a tower immediately to the east of the Djubali Kapoussi Gate, there once stood a slab with a bas-relief. This carving depicted the three Hebrew youths cast into the fiery furnace of Babylon, as told in the Book of Daniel. The slab also bore the name of Manuel Phakrase Catacuzene, who was the Protostrator (a senior military commander) under Cantacuzene.

Manuel distinguished himself in service during this difficult period. The slab, once on the wall, was later moved to the Imperial Museum of Constantinople for preservation.

The attacks of 1348 and 1351 highlight the constant dangers faced by Constantinople during the late Byzantine period. The city’s position made it a target not only for powerful empires but also for rival trading states like Genoa. The rapid defensive works of Cantacuzene—raising walls, strengthening towers, removing houses, and digging moats—show how the Byzantines adapted to urgent threats.

Although often under pressure and short of resources, the empire’s leaders demonstrated determination to defend the city, preserving its walls for another century until the final Ottoman conquest in 1453.