Golden Gate
The most monumental structure of the triumphal arch, which welcomed
Theodosius with its glory on his return to the city with victories, comes to life again. The Golden Gate, which has made an indelible impression with its majesty and beauty
for centuries from travelers to historians, is ready to
welcome its visitors.
The Golden Gate, which once adorned the walls with its splendor in Constantinople, was built by the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius III.
After the Yedikule Fortress, the Emperor had a wall built in order to strengthen the defense of the coastal side of the city, and by having a monumental gate built here, he almost crowned the walls. This gate, which was built in 413, is a triumphal arch.
The Golden Gate, also known as the Gilded Gate and the magnificent ornament of the Theodosian Walls, had welcomed the emperors who returned to the city victorious for centuries. Ceremonies were held at this gate for the emperors who returned with victories from the wars they participated in, and the city was entered through this gate, accompanied by processions.
The main ceremonial gate, the Golden Gate, was called “Porta Auera” in the Eastern Roman Period and was called the “Yedikule Gate” in the Ottoman Period. The Golden Gate, which is one of the most important structures of the land walls, also has a special situation. Via Egnetia, which is an intercity road and connects Istanbul to Rome, started from this gate and was connected to the main street in the city, which was Mese in Eastern Rome and Divan Yolu (Divan Road) in the Ottoman Empire. This important intercity line ends at the square named Augusteion in front of Hagia Sophia. This square is called Sultanahmet Square in the present day.
The Golden Gate, which has a three-arched architecture, has the appearance of a classic triumphal arch. The large arch in the middle was reserved only for emperors, while the small arched doors on both sides were made for public use.
With its three-eyed architectural structure, the Golden Gate also had two towers. These magnificent towers were covered with marble brought from Marmara Island. It was known that a Roman eagle relief was carved on the tops of the towers.
The “Golden Gate” got its name from its gilded coatings and bronze inscriptions with gilded bronze letters on it. The phrase “AVREA SAECLA GERIT QUI PORTAM CONSTRVIT AURO” was written in Latin on one of the bronze plates shining brightly at the time it was built. This inscription, as determined by the famous historian Charles du Cange, means “The one who made the gate in gold created a golden age”.
There was another plaque on the side of the eye-catching door, which was decorated with statues and reliefs, opening to the city. In the inscription, which is also in Latin, the sentence “HAEC LOCA THEVDOSIVS DECORAT POST FATA TYRANNI” was written, that is, “Theodosius decorated this place after he destroyed the Tirana”. As it can be understood from this inscription, the Emperor had the Golden Gate built as an ornament or a gift to the city after his victory.
This majestic gate, which fascinated everyone who came to the city in time or passed through Via Egnatia, was rather disgraced and neglected towards the end of the Eastern Roman Empire. In the course of history, first its three-eyed structure was lost, and then its decorations faded.
After the conquest of Istanbul by Mehmed the Conqueror, the gates and towers were surrounded by a wall, and the building took the form of a fortress. British Ambassador Sir Thomas Roe, who came to the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century, wanted to remove the plates on the door, relying on the special permission he received, and could not achieve his purpose due to the fierce opposition of the people of the surrounding area. However, after this event, the plates were heavily damaged. Although the tughra and the Ottoman state coat of arms were added to the door, which was repaired during the Mahmut period, it is not possible to see them anymore.
The Golden Gate, which welcomed those who entered Istanbul for centuries with its radiance, merged with the legends of the fortress in the Ottoman Period and became famous in history, but could not preserve its splendor, and neither its plates nor its magnificent ornaments could reach today.
