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Istanbul

Gate of Charisius (Sultan Mehmet Entered Through This Gate)

Second only to the Golden Gate in importance, the Gate of Charisius located at the highest of the city’s seven hills is the place where the defense of the city was mounted by the last Byzantine Emperor, and where the first Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed the Conqueror, made his triumphal entrance into Constantinople

Istanbul, Turkey

Coordinates: 41.030975, 28.935763

The Gate of Charisius or Polyandrion and in Turkish Edirnekapı (Adrianople Gate) is where Mehmed II made his triumphal entry into the conquered city. This gate stands on top of the sixth hill, and was the highest point of the city at 77 metres.

The conquest bestowed immense glory and prestige on the country. There is some historical evidence that 10 years after the conquest of Constantinople, Mehmed II visited the site of Troy and boasted that he had avenged the Trojans by conquering the Greeks (Byzantines).

The Byzantine walls, of which large parts survive, were built between 408 and 413 by Emperor Theodosius II. The main line of defense was the inner wall that is accessed by stone ramps.

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