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The Siege and the Fall of the Walls
During the siege of Constantinople in 1453, the Turkish forces attacked the city’s defenses relentlessly. Two towers of the Inner Wall and a large...
The Gate of Charisius
A Site of Many Battles
The Gate of Charisius was a significant location in the history of Constantinople, and many important events took place there....
The Gate of Charisius and the Mesoteichion
The Gate of Charisius is located near a direct road that leads to the Imperial Cemetery, making its name very appropriate. The name may...
Theodosian Walls
A Response to a Growing City
The Theodosian Walls were built because Constantinople grew rapidly in both population and importance. The city had originally been...
Supplying Water to the New Capital
One of the biggest challenges in building the new city of Constantinople was providing enough clean water. While the ancient water system of Byzantium,...
The Three Main Streets of Constantinople
The city of Constantinople had three main streets that served as the major communication routes across the city. These streets were designed to help...
General Grant’s Lasting Legacy and the Hidden World of the Ottoman Harem
A Global Icon's Enduring Influence
General Ulysses S. Grant's famous tour around the world after his presidency created an extraordinary and lasting impression on leaders...
Two Sides of a Controversial Sultan
Religious Devotion and Political Violence
The Missionaries' Harsh Judgment
Christian missionaries working in the Ottoman Empire held extremely negative views of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. These...
The Insider’s Revenge
How a Minister's Son Exposed the Sultan
A Family Legacy of Power and Influence
Gorges Dorys, the author who dared to expose the Sultan's private life,...
The Catholic Church in Bulgaria
There are about 30,000 Catholics living in Bulgaria. The Church has two main dioceses:
Sofia–Philipopolis
Nicopolis
Both dioceses are active and growing. They run churches, schools, and...
