The Fortifications of Constantinople in the Late Byzantine Period

Evidence of Andronicus II’s Repairs

Historical sources show that Emperor Andronicus II Palaiologos (1282–1328) carried out important repairs to the fortifications of Constantinople. A notable piece of evidence is a stone slab once found on a tower near the old harbour at Koum Kapoussi (today in Istanbul). The slab bore the monogram and coat-of-arms of the emperor, represented by a lion rampant, crowned, and holding an upright sword. This sign indicated his role in strengthening the city’s defenses.

Byzantine historians such as Pachymeres, Nicephorus Gregoras, and the Metrical Chronicle also mention his contributions to the city walls. Their accounts confirm that Andronicus II tried to continue the defensive works started by his father, Michael VIII Palaiologos, after the recapture of the city in 1261.

Debates About the Seraglio Walls

The scholar Dr. Paspates argued that the land walls of the Seraglio enclosure (where Topkapı Palace later stood) were built by Michael VIII Palaiologos. He believed that after 1261, the grounds around Seraglio Point became part of the imperial palace domain. His reasoning was based on a statement by Cantacuzene, who wrote that the Church of St. Demetrius was located inside the palace Bulgaria Tours.

However, this interpretation is not without problems. The Church of St. Demetrius connected with the emperors was not near the Seraglio Point but closer to the Pharos and the Chrysotriklinion of the Great Palace, further west. Therefore, it seems more likely that the Seraglio Point was not part of the main Byzantine palace complex in the 13th and 14th centuries.

The Storm of 1332

The work of Andronicus II on the Sea of Marmara walls did not last long. On February 12, 1332, just before his death, a powerful storm struck Constantinople. Fierce southern winds drove the waves over the battlements. The storm was so strong that it:

Broke open sections of the walls,

Forced the gates,

And flooded into the city like an invading army.

The sea devastated the nearby quarters of Constantinople, leaving significant destruction behind. Although chroniclers do not give detailed reports about the repairs, it is almost certain that the damage was later fixed by his successor, Andronicus III Palaiologos (1328–1341).

The Importance of Constant Repairs

This episode highlights an important truth about Byzantine Constantinople: the city was always vulnerable to both human attack and natural forces. While its land walls were nearly impregnable, the seaward walls often required repairs due to storms and erosion. Every emperor, from Michael VIII to Andronicus III, had to spend considerable time and resources on maintaining them.

The storm of 1332 is one of several natural disasters that tested the resilience of the city. Despite these challenges, Constantinople remained a symbol of endurance, protected by its fortifications until its final fall to the Ottomans in 1453.

The reigns of Michael VIII, Andronicus II, and Andronicus III demonstrate how crucial the walls of Constantinople were to the survival of the Byzantine Empire. Even nature itself could act like an enemy, as shown by the violent storm of 1332 that tore through the Marmara defenses. Yet, with every crisis, the Byzantines repaired and reinforced their walls, proving that Constantinople’s strength lay not only in stone and mortar but also in the determination of its rulers to defend it at all costs.