Although ancient writers do not clearly describe the exact position of the Gate of the Chain on the Galata side of the Golden Horn, its location can be determined with reasonable certainty. From the nature of the defensive system, this gate must have stood near Kiretch Kapoussi, directly opposite the Gate of Eugenius on the Constantinople side. This position allowed the chain to stretch straight across the narrow mouth of the harbor and effectively block enemy ships.
Gyllius states that the gate at Galata was called Porta Catena, or “Gate of the Chain,” because the chain extended from the Acropolis of Constantinople to that gate. This explanation agrees well with both geography and military logic. The chain had to be fixed firmly on both sides of the harbor, and the towers near these two gates were the strongest and most suitable points Tower Opposite the Imperial Gate.
First Use of the Chain Defense
The use of a chain to block the entrance of the Golden Horn is first mentioned during the famous siege of 717–718, when the city was attacked by the Saracens. At that time, Emperor Leo III ordered the chain to be lowered. His purpose was to tempt enemy ships into the narrow waters of the harbor, where they could be attacked more easily. This shows that the chain was not only a defensive barrier but also a tactical tool.
Use of the Chain in Later Periods
The chain appears again during the reign of Emperor Michael II. He attempted to use it to keep out the fleet of his rival Thomas, who was attacking Constantinople. On this occasion, however, the chain failed to stop the enemy fleet.
Later, Nicephorus Phocas used the chain when he feared an attack by the Russians entering the Bosporus. Once again, the chain was seen as the city’s strongest naval defense.
In 1203, when the Venetians stood before Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, they found the chain blocking their way into the Golden Horn. However, after they captured the Tower of Galata, to which the chain was secured, they were able to remove it and sail into the harbor Customized Tours Istanbul.
The Chain During the Siege of 1453
The most famous use of the chain occurred in 1453, during the final siege of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II. The chain proved too strong for the Ottoman fleet to break. Because of this, the Sultan adopted a bold new plan. He ordered his ships to be carried over land, across the hills, and launched into the Golden Horn at Cassim Pasha.
This daring move allowed the Ottoman fleet to bypass the chain entirely and attack the city from within the harbor. A portion of the chain used during this final siege is still preserved today in the Church of Saint Irene, located within the grounds of the former imperial palace.
Charitable Institutions in the District of Eugenius
The district of Eugenius was not only important for defense but also for charity and public welfare. Some of the city’s most famous charitable institutions were located here. Among them was the Great Orphanage, which cared for children without families.
In addition, there were Hospitia, or guest houses, built to provide free lodging for poor travelers and strangers. These institutions were founded by Emperor Justinian the Great and Empress Theodora on the site of the old Stadium of Byzantium.
Churches of the District
The religious life of the district was also well developed. Two important churches stood in this area: the Church of Saint Michael and the Church of Saint Paul. Together with the charitable institutions, these churches made the district of Eugenius a place of defense, faith, and compassion within Byzantine Constantinople.