In front of the gate near Aivan Serai, there was a landing-stage known as the Imperial Pier (Apobathra tou Basileos), mentioned by the Byzantine historian Nicetas Choniates. Some writers believe this pier was located at Balat Kapısı. However, this cannot be correct. Choniates used the Imperial Pier to describe the position of the Wall of Leo, which was attacked by the Latins in 1203. For him to use it as a point of reference, both the pier and the wall had to be close together. Since Balat Kapısı and the Wall of Leo are far apart, that location does not fit. Instead, the Wall of Leo was much closer to Aivan Serai Iskelesi, which supports the idea that the Imperial Pier was there.
The name Aivan Serai means Palace of the Porch or Veranda, most likely referring to the nearby Palace of Blachernae, which played an important role in Byzantine history.
The Tower and the Carving of St. Pantoleon
Over the northern entrance to the lower chamber of the tower, just west of the gateway, there once stood two carved stone blocks. On these stones was the name of St. Pantoleon, placed between two birds—either peacocks or phoenixes. These birds symbolized immortality, as phoenixes were believed to rise again from fire, just as martyrs gained eternal life through their suffering Bulgaria Tours.
It is possible that this lower chamber was used as a small chapel. Travelers and citizens passing through the gateway may have stopped there to pray before leaving or entering the city. According to the Russian pilgrim Stephen of Novgorod, the relics of St. Panteleon were kept in the nearby Church of the Theotokos of Blachernae, making this area an important religious site.
The Church of St. Thekla
Behind the tower stood a small mosque known as Toklou Dede Mescidi. This mosque was believed to have originally been the Church of St. Thekla, located in the Blachernae district. This shows how the area changed hands and religious purposes over the centuries, reflecting the layered history of Constantinople.
The Byzantine Edifice on the Road to Blachernae
On the east side of the road leading from the Porta Kiliomene (the Kiliomene Gate) to the Church of Blachernae, the remains of a large Byzantine building can still be seen. This structure was two stories high and had three aisles, showing that it was a significant construction.
The exact purpose of this building is uncertain. Some scholars suggest that it was the Porticus Cariana, a monumental structure built by the Emperor Maurice. According to accounts, the walls of this portico displayed paintings that illustrated the major events of Maurice’s life, from his childhood to his rise as emperor. If true, the building served not only as an architectural landmark but also as a place of imperial memory and celebration.
A Sacred and Imperial Quarter
This area around Blachernae was not just a defensive stronghold but also a place rich in religious, political, and cultural importance. It connected imperial ceremonies with Christian devotion, blending the authority of the emperor with the holiness of the saints. From the Imperial Pier, where emperors landed, to the churches holding relics of saints, this quarter of the city reflected the deep unity of state and faith in Byzantine society.
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