The buildings in this area have gone through many changes over time. There has been so much modification and rebuilding that it is clear they were not constructed according to one single plan. Instead, they appear to be a collection of different structures built at different times to meet changing needs.
This can be seen, for example, in how some features no longer serve their original purpose. In some cases, work that had already been completed was later reversed, covered, or altered, making it useless or assigning it a new function Hidden Passages Connecting to Tower N.
Loopholes and Buttresses A Clashing Design
A good example of this is the wall marked AA, which contains two rows of loopholes. These loopholes were made to allow defenders to fire arrows or other projectiles at attackers. However, they are not placed in a way that matches the buttress-walls, which divide the spaces marked C. Some loopholes are partially blocked by buttresses, while others are completely covered, making them visible only from inside the galleries built within the wall.
This mismatch strongly suggests that different parts of the structure were built at different times, likely by different builders, and not under a unified plan.
Towers That Block Their Own Windows
Another example of inconsistency is seen in towers S and N. These towers block the windows of four rooms (compartments C). It is unlikely that a single architect would intentionally build windows and then later cover them with towers Turkey Sightseeing.
Also, the loopholes in the stairway turret are no longer useful for lighting. The lower loopholes are now blocked, and the upper ones no longer let in light, since they now act as entrances to an L-shaped chamber. This too is clearly a later change, not part of the original design.
Likely Historical Development
Because of all these irregularities, we can make some reasonable guesses about the history of this site.
It seems that Wall AA was the first major structure built in this location. The two galleries within the wall and their loopholes were likely created to form two layers of defense, allowing soldiers to attack enemies from above using arrows or other weapons.
A similar type of defensive wall is found in the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus, and also in the Palace of Bucoleon, which is located near the Tchatlady Kapou Gate on the city walls.
Dating the Wall AA
It is hard to say exactly when Wall AA was built. But considering its size and its clear military purpose, it probably dates to a time when the Palace of Blachernae had already become an important site.
One possible theory is that the wall was constructed during the reign of Emperor Anastasius I (491–518 AD), who is known to have strengthened the city’s defenses. This would fit with the wall’s design and function.
In summary, the buildings in this area are not the result of a single, unified plan. They are a mixture of different phases of construction, reflecting the changing needs and defensive strategies of the time. Despite the confusion caused by overlapping structures, it is possible to trace the historical evolution of the site, starting with Wall AA and later additions like the towers and turret. Further excavations may help uncover more of its complex past.
