For those who want to visit Istanbul, I can recommend going in THIS part of the year (October) when the temperatures are very pleasant and it's not too busy with tourists.
Years ago, while working for a German manufacturer in the automotive industry, I was invited to the Headquarters of Koç, the largest corporation in Turkey. The HQ was a restored Ottoman palace on the Asian side of the Bosporus with a spectacular view of Istanbul across the channel. In the courtyard of the palace and, in fact, all over the grounds, was an extraordinary collection of Byzantine capitals, sculptures, friezes, sarcophagi, architectural fragments, etc.
Told in Stone always uploads when I’m on the bus home from school. I love watching content right as I get out of history class! Gotta continue History throughout the day!
1:25 in between each arch in each window they used different stone and different patterns, even making something so simple pop out like that is pretty dang creative! And it still looks beautiful!
It seems increasingly likely that I won't be able to see it for myself for the foreseeable future, so these videos are really quite a treasure. Sigh, maybe one day.
As a person who grew up in Istanbul, I really appreciate your videos! If you get the time you should also look at the Roman aqueducts in Kemerburgaz and Gokturk, they are incredible.
Even though I saw the thumbnail, i was staggered and surprised as the camera adjusted to reveal that wonderful complex of columns through a window on an unremarkable side street. Fantastic work.
Such a shame what happened to Constantinople and I don’t understand why it was ever given back to the Turks after the ottomans were defeated. Thousands of years of Greek, Roman and Christian history in the city gone.
The short answer to that question is the Bosporus & Dardanelles, the longer answer is that it was assumed (correctly so) after the fall of the Ottomans that there would be fighting over the aforementioned locations between the Greeks and Turks for control of them (despite the area being intended to be international zone after the war), thus it was deemed easier to give the Turks the small bit of Thrace on the European side rather than give Greece a larger bit of Anatolia on the Asian side and had the Treaty of Sèvres and the Megali Idea come to fruition the city may very well have been in Greek hands today.
Christian Crusaders created massacres, plundered, raped through Roman Orthodox Christian Constantinople. They were barbaric savages! Under Ottoman Empire Orthodox Christian Church thrived. Christians were the richest group in Ottoman Empire. Most Muslims were just peasants and times poorer. Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate is still in Istanbul and is controlling the Greek Orthodox Christian world!!!
@@noleftturnunstoned Im not sure if you are trolling or what, but it would be primarily the Turkish population, and secondarily, tourists trashing the archeological sites today. Before that it was the ottomans. And then FINALLY you get to the venetians. You are like a solid thousand years off.
@@staywokecuhh Sorry, I thought we were talking about the vandalism of Byzantine Constantinople. If we are going to be calling out vandalism hard not to mention the sack of the city by the latin Christians during the fourth crusade, right?
You can really let your imagination run wild thinking about what Constantinople must have been like pre-1204. I found a fascinating scholarly journal online about all the relics and such that were destroyed by the Fourth Crusade. The article may have been published by Oxford. I wish I could remember.
I read during the crusader sack.. when they plundered the tombs of the emperors the golden crown of Heraclius still had the hair attached to it when they carried it and the loots back to Venice.
True, true. Another interesting fact is that when they opened the grave of emperor Justinian I his body was still, after almost six and half centuries, basically intact, a thing Orthodox Christians view as a sign of sainthood. Unfortunately Justinian's, Heraclius's and the corpses of so many other emperors were desecrated and destroyed by the Crusaders in order to get the treasures with which they were buried. Truly a sad moment in the history of civilization.
Haghia Sophia and Basilica Cistern were highlights. Chora and the walls were amazing. The view from Topkapi gardens down to the Bosphorus. SIGH !!! Thank you !
There is always a crushing sadness at the loss that features in so many of your stories, told in stone. At least we have these few remnants that have not yet been crushed themselves to remember what once was.
I remember seeing a video of the Bald guy going through Afghanistan and when he stopped at the road with the fortress alongside it and talked about the different Armies walking through that road. Ever since I just been wanting to see more of these ancient structures that are part of history. You can really feel the wierd energy coming off these buildings, like you can feel or almost imagine what it must of been like, I feel like it was so much quieter back then. I guess I find archeology so fascinating, with Machu Picchu being ontop a mountain and then being overgrown with fauna to not be seen for how long? Makes me wonder what has been swept away by time or eventually buried by dust.
Sgt, I humbly believe you meant to say: "Overgrown with _Flora."_ Being overgown with Fauna could be an extremely funny way to state that someone was suddenly stampeded by buffalos, and not just that, they also decided to remain on top of the poor fellow until found centuries later 🙂. Even then, if my memory serves me well, Machu Picchu was more or less, say, not forgotten. In Mexico however, most of the Aztec and Mayan pyramids were indeed overgrown with Flora, to the point of being considered hills, until discovered and cleaned up. Ps. Oh and sure, along with the Flora comes the Fauna, it's a simbiotic relationship after all 🙂.
@@SgtJohnRemairez No, you shouldn't be confused, it was just a funny mistake of the kind anyone could make 🙂 And here's a tip: The next time someone tells you: "Must've been Flora, not Fauna", if he's an e-diot (ie, not friendly), you can reply by saying: "Good point! But let's remember that Fauna can be taken for granted, because without Fauna, their pollinating insects, or the seeds contained within larger species' feces, there would never be any substantial Flora!" - And that's it, you shut the dude up. But save this trap for guys who deserve it 🙂 Have a good one Sgt! 😀
Hello toldinstone! I have watched all of your videos, and they are very informative. I have been to Rome many times, and the last time i was i used one of your videos to locate two roman monuments hidden in plain sight. Also i have been to Constantinople two times and i have visited all the Eastern Roman accesible places possible. Now one thing i would like from your channel is for you to make a video, showing what was lost in the middle ages in Constantinople, just like the video you did for Rome, explaining especially buildings like the Blachernae Palace, or Grand Palace, and so on. That would be an amazing video i would really appreciate, and i guess most of the viewers here too. Thank you for the fine job you are doing !
He’s one of those Roman obsessed people that act like the world ended when the Turks made Constantinople a better city, so they call it that to spite people who don’t even care to begin with
We wil be going on a month long Mediterranean cruise in December 2023, one of the stops is in Istanbul for 4 days, and also stops in France, Italy, Greece,Greek Islands, Crete, Israel, and Egypt as well.............🌿🙂🌿✌️
In addition to the Hajia Sophia, Blue Mosque etc., I strongly recommend a visit to the Basilica Cistern. It is an amazing monument to Roman engineering.
Wow that must have been amazing! Travelling around the Mediterranean on an enormous floating buffet, disembarking for a few hours and then reboarding the buffet ship. You must have really experienced the culture of each destination and had a great view from off shore, as the ship dumped all your slurry into the harbour.
You forgot some other hidden places -Belgrade Gate -Altı mermer -Forum Arcadius -Old Harbour -Galata Walls -Gül Mosque -Zeyrek Cisterns and many more. Have to check those too.
I like to think about these ruins like I do the Roman forum. There is not much left to look at in both cases, but the memory of it is stunning no matter ones point of view of history. Very cool to see these things on video!
@@kalemegdan6566 Keep crying. Turks have been in Anatolia for nearly 1000 years now. Istanbul is ours for nearly 600 years as well. These lands are 100% Turkish and we aren't going anywhere!
@kaankahraman1341 Wrong. It's not even 2100 -2200 A.D.. Your math, just like your history and your culture is off. Everything you think is Turkish eas borrowed from Mongols, Persians, Arabs, Phoencians, Greeks, Roman's and "Pravo Slava Vera" [Orthodox Christian Faith.]. You temporally worship in our Havia Sofia. When we come back we will topple the Minaret and other Blasphemous additions tied to a foreign culture. Tied to a foreign faith. It is our way to survive, to win and to destroy the evil who try to kill and lie. You are merely a vassal of Biden, Destroyer of Yugoslavia and Ukraine. War bringer to the Holy Land. He is evil. But he also showed who you are. Treacherous, week, servile. And you can't stand on your own two feet without a "Slav" or a "Pravo Slav". I don't know who's weaker between you and your olde German foe. You both equally suck when it comes to world domination and trying to subdue a people. For over 1,200 my family has witnessed your incompetence. We were there when "Car"[Csar: Czar: Tsar: Caesar] Konstantin eliminated the challenges to our "Vera" . 1000 years prior to your stain, we were already the protectors of "Rumelia [Balkans] and Carpathia /Karpata/". You're not even a string on the loom. You're not even. A thread of history by comparison. You're merely a "Thrall". A willing Thrall. You are a masochist. One way or another you will serve, by the looks of your disgusting spineless nature. "It is a good day to die".
@@azwris back then everything was ethnicity. That's how countries are born . It was land of turkiye. It was a nation mate . Omg 😶. Do u know what a tribe is mate ?
@@jamworthy14 Of course I know because I am also into English Grossology. But I can definitely sense some irony in your comments and therefore I don't like to get into a dispute with you. You're going to lose your dignity in public and I'm going to lose my precious time. So long my friend!
I can only imagine how an average denizen of Constantinople must have felt when the city was in it’s prime , walking among the marbled marvels of ancient world praying in the most beautiful churches carrying on the roman legacy. To them the rest of Europe was barbaric
Always makes me sad to contemplate the continued urge of the Turks to piss on the Hagia Sophia. I usually can’t watch these things, but Toldinstone does such a great job, I had to watch.
@@hasansalihaktas I mean look at the current events, the jewish diaspora is still salty after events that took place 2000 years ago... and kill civilians for it.
@@AutomatedPersonnelUnit_3947 Has nothing to due with Islam, the Turks did that out of their own interest as a group of people. Just like how the Europeans came and killed off the Native Americans. Has nothing to do with religion.
Taj mahal's dome design was inspired by hagia Sophia. And Roman arches were inspiration for the design of pointy persian arches. The Islamic monuments in Iran, Uzbekistan and india has many things to do with hagia sofia architecture.
Hey everyone, Let's remember that nearly every spot in Istanbul stands on layers of ancient history, not just Byzantine but also other Asia Minor civilizations. Efforts to restore places like the Boukoleon Palace, which was in ruins even before the Ottomans arrived, are ongoing. Even with ample funding, the sheer volume of historical sites and artifacts makes restoration a challenge. Many findings don't even reach museums because they're already filled with invaluable pieces. While more can be done for Istanbul's historical peninsula, some restorations could take years. Let's be patient and value the dedication behind preserving our shared history.
You are conveniently ignoring the fact that during the Late Ottoman Era the still very much well preserved remains of the Boukoleon Palace were deliberately destroyed by Sultan Abdulhamid II to make way for the railway heading to Sirkeci Station. Lets just hope that its restoration wont end up like that of Suheyl Bey Mosque. Unlike the central government, IBB Miras seems to know what they are doing after all.
Yeah this is just not a thing at all. There was no asia minor civilization that inhabited the city, it was founded by emperor Constantine, the Greek-Roman emperor, and so bears his name. The Turks, like their Seljuq ancestors, raped the greeks and attempted to say that they were never Roman at all when half the empire was Greek and the Eastern Roman Empire lasted until 1453, with the Ottomans LARPing for the next 500 years.
@Da_goat This is not correct especially in the yenikapı excavations they found a lot more older artifacts. They hypothise the people in Göbeklitepe passed bosphorus somewhere around 8000 BC.
@@Da__goatGlorius Kingdom of Bithynia owned that city. And it was called Byzantion. It was founded bu Byzas of Megara kahve 600 years ago from the times of Constantine
Istanbul is a magical place. All that history, memories, whisper to you. I used to live on the Asian side, and went to school on the European side. I travelled the Bosphorus everyday with a boat. Wherever I go, I miss those days. Btw, current municipality has a project to restore the Byzantine Hippodrome. At least partly. There are many riches not presented in this video.
The oldest structure prize belongs to the Egyptian obelisk near the Hagia Sophia. It is also the oldest structure in its original place,the base now being 10 feet blow the surface.
Great video. One note only is that turks didn't call Constantinople "istanbul" because it's a Greek name which is as old as Constantinople. It means "to the city" or "of the city" in Greek. It comes from "εις την Πόλη"
That's a common misconception but it's not true. Istanbul comes from Constantinople, with the first and the third syllables dropped in speech. (koSTANtinoPOLi) It's the same thing with Thessaloniki, the second capital of the Byzantines after Constantinople, which was known as Saloniki/Salonica/Selanik around the world before the ancient name was revived in the 20th century. So in the end Constantinople and Istanbul are the same word.
Yeah, they do that for New York too. In the outlying areas when you say I'm going to the city you know what people mean they mean, New York. So in this case, the term Istanbul is actually referring to Constantinople, The City.
Sad to see that even today, the state of Constantinople is miserable and of constant decay. Mandkind, whether they are Christians or not, should really retake this city to save and protect their historical artifacts from muslim control. Heck, not even just Constantinople, the rest of the historical world too!
Before I die, I have to see Constantinople and Rome. I feel a calling to go. Almost a feeling of going home... And I live on USA. Its calling me. Another good episode. Ty
as far as romans love their ruins, istambul residents hates the old stuff. that city is built over 9+ older version of the city. if you dig down, it's only ruins you found but they are all in very poor condition. the fact they still have the pole of ancient greek Delphi in the middle of nowhere in a pit full of garbage just shows how much they don't care about relics of the past.
Correct, and quite sad. They completely deride anything of the ancient past that is frankly not Muslim or Ottoman/Turk. Still ongoing to this day when workers dig and find old ruins they tell no one and just smash it all up.
Turkish governments have preserved many Roman/Byzantine churches and ruins though. There are a lot of preserved pagan period Roman cities and sites, as well. They have to show more effort to preserve other ruins. Americans even bury Native American sites, during construction developments' diggings Americans do not care much Native American sites for some reason. This is happening in South Florida as we speak. Construction workers are having mysterious diseases by constructing on these sacred Native American sites. Believe it or not.
I understand your ignorance because you do not really know the efforts. However, I invite you to understand that every piece of land in that area is a byzantine ruin. There is a big effort to restore these buildings but some of them where already ruins in the late eastern roman period. For example right now they are restoring Boukoleon Palace which is constructed in the 5th century and was already in ruins by the time Ottomans captured the city. Even with big budgets and effort, it is still very challenging to restore everything. Most of the archaeological findings do not even make it to museums because museums are full of other important artifacts. Please research better before accusing all the 18 million residents of Istanbul.
Crusaders (mostly venetians) sacked the city. They destroyed everything in this beautiful city. They took all the valuable artifacts to Venice where you can see them as a tourist. When the ottomans entered the city there was nothing of value except saint sofia and some other beautiful churches. Ottomans made Constantinople great again. There are much more very valuable remnants from the old city which is not shown here.
00:38 ''whatever'' the name lol...its only a bunch of internet trolls having patriotic spasms over a freking name, 95% of Turkey give literally zero fck if you call it Konstantiniyye or konstantinapolis
When I was there 30 years ago it had the feel of a modern western secular city, women dressing skimpy and boys and girls flirting openly. Women walking alone. Not a head covering in sight. Haghia Sophia was a musemn. Since Ertogan that has all changed and not for the better.
Still by all standards it is a modern open society with both free and religious side by side. Changes are for much better and competative with many best European cities.
Not Micklegarth, but Myklagard in norse. Mykla means large, and Gard means town to live (in modern norwegian, gard means a farm. But obviously the norse meaning was "slightly" different and flexible). The norse thus named Constantinople "the large town" in their language.
Seems to be related to modern Russian "gorod" (old Russian "grad") and before it gained the meaning of "city" it meant walls or fortifications. Rus' lands were called Gardariki in old norse which basically means "kingdom of fortifications" or something. So maybe Miklagard means large walls?
@@demeter1793 I wrote "gard" quite specifically instead of "gård". It could mean a wall like you pointed to, but it also ment an enclosed area or homestead which became synonymous with a city.
This Empire was never called "Byzantine". There never was a Byzantine Empire. The historical truth is that it was called the Eastern Roman Empire or Romania. Its Emperors were called Romans either orally or in Imperial letters. The citizens of this Empire also knew and said they were Roman citizens throughout the centuries. The Empire known today as "Byzantine" never used that name for itself. The name we find in all sources, historical, diplomatic, poetic, legislative and even in commercial transactions, is the Roman Empire and Romania which was bestowed by Constantine the Great and was maintained from the foundation of New Rome (Constantinople) until its fall. , when the last Emperor Constantine the Paleologos was called "Emperor of the Romans and King of the Greeks".
It is unfortunate, but it happens all too often throughout history. Muslim Spanish Mosques became Churches, Aztec temples were demolished for Cathedrals, and Carthage was wiped off the earth for New Carthage (Roman City). It really makes history harder to learn due to the constant destruction of historical buildings.
As a Greek, it's my dream to visit Constantinople... It's to see what we've lost and what we might never gain back... To see what Greek civilisation was at its height.
Unfortunately you missed constantinople with 550 years. Try your luck with Istanbul. By the way, it's roman civilisation not greek. So you can be hugely disappointed.
@@ItalMiser117 Except it did, cockroach. Do you really think that an Empire that was inhabited by Greeks who merely called themselves "Romans", who spoke Greek and who practiced Orthodoxy in contrast with Catholicism, is Roman? Piss off
Lol yeah I caught that too, sounded so weird. In Sweden we call it Miklagård, så Norse comes more naturally but "Mickelgarth" has to be the weirdest pronunciation yet lol
Nice and informative video. When younger, i was in Istanbul 4 times. We as a family visited the very nice water reservoir with its very nice columns. I was impressed (does not happen often) by the enormous city walls and gates. Later in that holiday, 1987, we went to Troja, Milet, Pamukkele and the nex door Hierapolis(?), the chopped out wall in the mountain from Bodrum, and near Eskeshehir our Turkish friend showed us the homes from the Christians chopped out in the mountains. No tourists there, nobody. And we visited several other antique places were i do not know the name from. What did these people in their Byzanthium homes to cover their window opening from rain and cold? Regards from the Netherlands
So rise giants who make the Earth tremble and all bow to them, till some do not then fall the giants to the swords and spears of lesser men until So rise giants, who make the Earth tremble and again and again and yesterday's giants become tumbled stones and beautiful foundations of todays giants.
What is super weird to me is the fact that ancient monuments are phenomenal, very detail and super polished but the letters everywhere are creepy and walking all the directions 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you for this documentary. This is an example of how something beautiful like the West, which also included the Eastern Roman Empire, can be destroyed by internal divisions and bickering. This is a warning to the West that this history does not repeat itself on western europe and america
When I walked to the Column of Marcian I noticed column ends being used around pedestrian areas to block vehicles. It made me wonder what structure they came from.
Exactly exactly exactly istanbul is beyond pathetic islamic name like the rest of them, Constantinople is such a cool as name like seriously you like making that sound through the mouth itself. I want every European to appreciate history and never let these muslims enter EU ever. They destroy everything if they had ever gotten their hands to ROME 😢 their amazing churches their rich heritage would have been lost.
look man, been watching since the channel was new. I am 23 I have always loved money and history. Went to college studied finance and I am a member of multiple historical societies near me. Also have artifacts I have found myself in local museums. In my professional life I sell commercial real estate. Mostly industrial real estate. I have done well in just a few short years in my career. I am also a serious coin collector and numismatist. Other things I enjoy are boating hunting and especially metal detecting & Bottle digging. I also love and collect rocks minerals and fossils, this was my first hobby since I was a young boy maybe 5-6 years old. I have to say that along my lifetime journey this channel has inspired and entertained me. As a major history buff this is some of the best especially classic history content on RUclips. Another important note they don't teach anything like this or anything important in general in public high schools or really universities for that matter. Keep doing what your doing we love you !
If you feel angry or sad, or even proud of history, you need to get a life. Make something out of your life, be angry, sad, happy or proud of yourself, of your achievements and failures, not for what some people did 800 years ago.
No, he has every right to get angry or in any way emotionally invested in history, it shows he cares about civilization. The perpetual apathy of society in the west is one of the main reasons everything is going to hell in a handbasket, we need more people who care, not less. As long as he uses the anger for positive means it is absolutely healthy.
is there a meaning beside the symbolism to obelisks such as column of marcion? like could it be used as beacons to maintain communication between settlements?
For those who want to visit Istanbul, I can recommend going in THIS part of the year (October) when the temperatures are very pleasant and it's not too busy with tourists.
Same with Rome. Nice and cool and not too busy
He doesn't mean Istanbul. He meant Constantinople
Salty@@MrJeremybowling
I have a trip planned for November
We are going on a month long Mediterranean cruise in December 2023.
Years ago, while working for a German manufacturer in the automotive industry, I was invited to the Headquarters of Koç, the largest corporation in Turkey. The HQ was a restored Ottoman palace on the Asian side of the Bosporus with a spectacular view of Istanbul across the channel. In the courtyard of the palace and, in fact, all over the grounds, was an extraordinary collection of Byzantine capitals, sculptures, friezes, sarcophagi, architectural fragments, etc.
Stolen.
@@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733 Do you mean the Ottomans stole from the Byzantines? That's usually what happens after a conquest.
Bap bap bap, it's the German occupation of Slavic lands. Look up Sorbes, Wendes and Lusatians.
They weren't German. Neither was Berlin.
@@kalemegdan6566Nobody cares.
well christians stole it first, the leftovers were for ottomans....@@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733
My jaw dropped when the camera entered that dark window to reveal those columns
Yeah the Fatih district ( the old İstanbul/Costantinopolis) is filled with those kind of relics of old ages.
I'm from İstanbul and let me tell you that in İstanbul there is another city under the city.
It's kinda like Venice Italy
You don't get out much, do you? (jk)
@@TheKingSpartacus I am not Constantinople but I think its full of gold and greek art, you need to go there
Told in Stone always uploads when I’m on the bus home from school. I love watching content right as I get out of history class! Gotta continue History throughout the day!
same here!
@@sovietz99 so there are more of us out there 😁 good to know
1:25 in between each arch in each window they used different stone and different patterns, even making something so simple pop out like that is pretty dang creative! And it still looks beautiful!
*Looks through broken ancient window*
"Let's see if we can look inside..."
*Finds Khazad-Dûm*
there are many such opportunities in modern Istanbul
Fool of a Took
You sir, won the Internet today. Thank you.
Fpr those wjo dont understand... well its better if you look it up yourself
It seems increasingly likely that I won't be able to see it for myself for the foreseeable future, so these videos are really quite a treasure. Sigh, maybe one day.
Why?
@@enginesandidiots4204economy is terrible, I’m worried about finding a place to live let alone going abroad
As a person who grew up in Istanbul, I really appreciate your videos! If you get the time you should also look at the Roman aqueducts in Kemerburgaz and Gokturk, they are incredible.
Istanbul looks like a cool old city! 😊
@@starkjet2197it is!
Love the content on Byzantine and Constantinople!
Even though I saw the thumbnail, i was staggered and surprised as the camera adjusted to reveal that wonderful complex of columns through a window on an unremarkable side street. Fantastic work.
Such a shame what happened to Constantinople and I don’t understand why it was ever given back to the Turks after the ottomans were defeated. Thousands of years of Greek, Roman and Christian history in the city gone.
The short answer to that question is the Bosporus & Dardanelles, the longer answer is that it was assumed (correctly so) after the fall of the Ottomans that there would be fighting over the aforementioned locations between the Greeks and Turks for control of them (despite the area being intended to be international zone after the war), thus it was deemed easier to give the Turks the small bit of Thrace on the European side rather than give Greece a larger bit of Anatolia on the Asian side and had the Treaty of Sèvres and the Megali Idea come to fruition the city may very well have been in Greek hands today.
Welcome to islam
It wasn’t given. It was taken back with turkish war of independence.
Christian Crusaders created massacres, plundered, raped through Roman Orthodox Christian Constantinople. They were barbaric savages! Under Ottoman Empire Orthodox Christian Church thrived. Christians were the richest group in Ottoman Empire. Most Muslims were just peasants and times poorer. Greek Ecumenical Patriarchate is still in Istanbul and is controlling the Greek Orthodox Christian world!!!
@@SD-ft5xj No the Britsh simply left to Turkish their was no battle for Constantinople
4:37 the Colossus of Barletta is rumored to be the lost statue of Emperor Marcian
I thought it was Nerva Trajanus ?
Whilst the vandalism of a two and a half thousand year old city fills me with sadness, I appreciate your video very much.
By the Venetians?
@@noleftturnunstoned Im not sure if you are trolling or what, but it would be primarily the Turkish population, and secondarily, tourists trashing the archeological sites today. Before that it was the ottomans. And then FINALLY you get to the venetians. You are like a solid thousand years off.
@IStevenSeagal Lmao who lives in and maintains the structures of that area today?
@@staywokecuhh Well the crusaders did plunder 80% of the valuable things in constantinople
@@staywokecuhh Sorry, I thought we were talking about the vandalism of Byzantine Constantinople. If we are going to be calling out vandalism hard not to mention the sack of the city by the latin Christians during the fourth crusade, right?
You can really let your imagination run wild thinking about what Constantinople must have been like pre-1204. I found a fascinating scholarly journal online about all the relics and such that were destroyed by the Fourth Crusade. The article may have been published by Oxford. I wish I could remember.
I read during the crusader sack.. when they plundered the tombs of the emperors the golden crown of Heraclius still had the hair attached to it when they carried it and the loots back to Venice.
Sounds like NATO under Biden. Sacking Yugoslavia and Ukraine.
True, true. Another interesting fact is that when they opened the grave of emperor Justinian I his body was still, after almost six and half centuries, basically intact, a thing Orthodox Christians view as a sign of sainthood. Unfortunately Justinian's, Heraclius's and the corpses of so many other emperors were desecrated and destroyed by the Crusaders in order to get the treasures with which they were buried. Truly a sad moment in the history of civilization.
@@justinian-the-great sad and typical..
@@justinian-the-great It's time to pull and OJ and get all our stuff back.
Crusaders were savage and barbaric to Roman Orthodox Christian Constantinople!
8:57 the pan from the dilapidated exterior to the (relatively) intact and intricate interior is wild
Haghia Sophia and Basilica Cistern were highlights. Chora and the walls were amazing. The view from Topkapi gardens down to the Bosphorus. SIGH !!! Thank you !
There is always a crushing sadness at the loss that features in so many of your stories, told in stone. At least we have these few remnants that have not yet been crushed themselves to remember what once was.
I remember seeing a video of the Bald guy going through Afghanistan and when he stopped at the road with the fortress alongside it and talked about the different Armies walking through that road. Ever since I just been wanting to see more of these ancient structures that are part of history. You can really feel the wierd energy coming off these buildings, like you can feel or almost imagine what it must of been like, I feel like it was so much quieter back then.
I guess I find archeology so fascinating, with Machu Picchu being ontop a mountain and then being overgrown with fauna to not be seen for how long? Makes me wonder what has been swept away by time or eventually buried by dust.
Sgt, I humbly believe you meant to say: "Overgrown with _Flora."_ Being overgown with Fauna could be an extremely funny way to state that someone was suddenly stampeded by buffalos, and not just that, they also decided to remain on top of the poor fellow until found centuries later 🙂.
Even then, if my memory serves me well, Machu Picchu was more or less, say, not forgotten. In Mexico however, most of the Aztec and Mayan pyramids were indeed overgrown with Flora, to the point of being considered hills, until discovered and cleaned up. Ps. Oh and sure, along with the Flora comes the Fauna, it's a simbiotic relationship after all 🙂.
@@hansvonmannschaft9062 Flora yes! Also I am confused now?
@@SgtJohnRemairez No, you shouldn't be confused, it was just a funny mistake of the kind anyone could make 🙂
And here's a tip: The next time someone tells you: "Must've been Flora, not Fauna", if he's an e-diot (ie, not friendly), you can reply by saying: "Good point! But let's remember that Fauna can be taken for granted, because without Fauna, their pollinating insects, or the seeds contained within larger species' feces, there would never be any substantial Flora!" - And that's it, you shut the dude up. But save this trap for guys who deserve it 🙂 Have a good one Sgt! 😀
Which Channel?
@@NacerDeArriba BaldandBankrupt in Afghanistan
Hello toldinstone!
I have watched all of your videos, and they are very informative.
I have been to Rome many times, and the last time i was i used one of your videos to locate two roman monuments hidden in plain sight.
Also i have been to Constantinople two times and i have visited all the Eastern Roman accesible places possible.
Now one thing i would like from your channel is for you to make a video, showing what was lost in the middle ages in Constantinople, just like the video you did for Rome, explaining especially buildings like the Blachernae Palace, or Grand Palace, and so on.
That would be an amazing video i would really appreciate, and i guess most of the viewers here too.
Thank you for the fine job you are doing !
why say constantinople. its Istanbul now
He’s one of those Roman obsessed people that act like the world ended when the Turks made Constantinople a better city, so they call it that to spite people who don’t even care to begin with
Wow, that abandoned place looked beautiful inside
This one really feels like an old-school toldinstone video! Great job Dr. Ryan!
We wil be going on a month long Mediterranean cruise in December 2023, one of the stops is in Istanbul for 4 days, and also stops in France, Italy, Greece,Greek Islands, Crete, Israel, and Egypt as well.............🌿🙂🌿✌️
In addition to the Hajia Sophia, Blue Mosque etc., I strongly recommend a visit to the Basilica Cistern. It is an amazing monument to Roman engineering.
@@tommcallister7647 Thank you for the tourist tips, and peace be with you ✌️
🚛🙂🙂👍 That sounds fun and interesting, mind if we tag along ?
Wow that must have been amazing! Travelling around the Mediterranean on an enormous floating buffet, disembarking for a few hours and then reboarding the buffet ship. You must have really experienced the culture of each destination and had a great view from off shore, as the ship dumped all your slurry into the harbour.
I enjoy this channel Garrett Ryan owns a easy tone in his voice thank you Garrett continue producing the videos.
You forgot some other hidden places
-Belgrade Gate
-Altı mermer
-Forum Arcadius
-Old Harbour
-Galata Walls
-Gül Mosque
-Zeyrek Cisterns
and many more. Have to check those too.
Keep up the great work, Garrett 👍
Hi Garrett,
Thank you for all your amazing videos on Roman history. I also bought both of your books. Keep us posted and thanks again.
I like to think about these ruins like I do the Roman forum. There is not much left to look at in both cases, but the memory of it is stunning no matter ones point of view of history. Very cool to see these things on video!
An amazing place to visit. People, food, sight seeing! It was wonderful as were the other areas of Turkey I visited.
Turkish occupied Greco-Roman Roman Pravo Slav Holy Lands.
@@kalemegdan6566 Come and take it
@@kalemegdan6566 cope with it!
@@kalemegdan6566 Keep crying. Turks have been in Anatolia for nearly 1000 years now. Istanbul is ours for nearly 600 years as well. These lands are 100% Turkish and we aren't going anywhere!
@kaankahraman1341
Wrong. It's not even 2100 -2200 A.D..
Your math, just like your history and your culture is off.
Everything you think is Turkish eas borrowed from Mongols, Persians, Arabs, Phoencians, Greeks, Roman's and "Pravo Slava Vera" [Orthodox Christian Faith.].
You temporally worship in our Havia Sofia.
When we come back we will topple the Minaret and other Blasphemous additions tied to a foreign culture. Tied to a foreign faith.
It is our way to survive, to win and to destroy the evil who try to kill and lie.
You are merely a vassal of Biden, Destroyer of Yugoslavia and Ukraine. War bringer to the Holy Land.
He is evil. But he also showed who you are.
Treacherous, week, servile. And you can't stand on your own two feet without a "Slav" or a "Pravo Slav".
I don't know who's weaker between you and your olde German foe. You both equally suck when it comes to world domination and trying to subdue a people.
For over 1,200 my family has witnessed your incompetence.
We were there when "Car"[Csar: Czar: Tsar: Caesar] Konstantin eliminated the challenges to our "Vera" . 1000 years prior to your stain, we were already the protectors of "Rumelia [Balkans] and Carpathia /Karpata/".
You're not even a string on the loom. You're not even. A thread of history by comparison.
You're merely a "Thrall". A willing Thrall. You are a masochist.
One way or another you will serve, by the looks of your disgusting spineless nature.
"It is a good day to die".
Your video made me miss my time living in Istanbul. The fall and winters there are very pleasant and it is a rewarding place for a historian to be.
1:56 Correction: Turkey didn't exist back then. The conquest took place by the Ottomans. The former established just a century ago. Thank you.
mate, turkiye existed before that, 🤣 we got 6th century text mentioning turkiye lmao
@@jamworthy14They were as an ethnicity, not as a nation!
@@azwris back then everything was ethnicity. That's how countries are born . It was land of turkiye. It was a nation mate . Omg 😶. Do u know what a tribe is mate ?
@@jamworthy14 Of course I know because I am also into English Grossology. But I can definitely sense some irony in your comments and therefore I don't like to get into a dispute with you. You're going to lose your dignity in public and I'm going to lose my precious time. So long my friend!
@@azwris 😂😶 if u knew u would not make such stupid comments. Now u resort to the lame kindergarten comeback to salvage ur dignity. Ironic 😼
I can only imagine how an average denizen of Constantinople must have felt when the city was in it’s prime , walking among the marbled marvels of ancient world praying in the most beautiful churches carrying on the roman legacy. To them the rest of Europe was barbaric
Near where i live there's a Byzantine church !! Fully intact !!
where do you live?
@@16876 Crete , Greece
@@Sam_Green____4114 Why the union jack for a pfp?
his name is Sam Green. That is probably why.@@dl5498
Always makes me sad to contemplate the continued urge of the Turks to piss on the Hagia Sophia. I usually can’t watch these things, but Toldinstone does such a great job, I had to watch.
In the end they'll be getting pissed on by Satan
@@voodootrucker1896A most logical conclusion indeed 🖖
Still salty about a 600 year old event 😂😂
@@hasansalihaktas I mean look at the current events, the jewish diaspora is still salty after events that took place 2000 years ago... and kill civilians for it.
@@AutomatedPersonnelUnit_3947 Has nothing to due with Islam, the Turks did that out of their own interest as a group of people. Just like how the Europeans came and killed off the Native Americans. Has nothing to do with religion.
I went there in January. It was a good time to visit.
For anyone interested in Constantinople I strongly recommend Schwerpunkt'z Byzantine history playlist
Spectacular!!!! great video!!!
Taj mahal's dome design was inspired by hagia Sophia.
And Roman arches were inspiration for the design of pointy persian arches.
The Islamic monuments in Iran, Uzbekistan and india has many things to do with hagia sofia architecture.
Hey everyone,
Let's remember that nearly every spot in Istanbul stands on layers of ancient history, not just Byzantine but also other Asia Minor civilizations. Efforts to restore places like the Boukoleon Palace, which was in ruins even before the Ottomans arrived, are ongoing. Even with ample funding, the sheer volume of historical sites and artifacts makes restoration a challenge. Many findings don't even reach museums because they're already filled with invaluable pieces. While more can be done for Istanbul's historical peninsula, some restorations could take years. Let's be patient and value the dedication behind preserving our shared history.
You are conveniently ignoring the fact that during the Late Ottoman Era the still very much well preserved remains of the Boukoleon Palace were deliberately destroyed by Sultan Abdulhamid II to make way for the railway heading to Sirkeci Station. Lets just hope that its restoration wont end up like that of Suheyl Bey Mosque. Unlike the central government, IBB Miras seems to know what they are doing after all.
Yeah this is just not a thing at all. There was no asia minor civilization that inhabited the city, it was founded by emperor Constantine, the Greek-Roman emperor, and so bears his name. The Turks, like their Seljuq ancestors, raped the greeks and attempted to say that they were never Roman at all when half the empire was Greek and the Eastern Roman Empire lasted until 1453, with the Ottomans LARPing for the next 500 years.
@Da_goat This is not correct especially in the yenikapı excavations they found a lot more older artifacts. They hypothise the people in Göbeklitepe passed bosphorus somewhere around 8000 BC.
@@Da__goatGlorius Kingdom of Bithynia owned that city. And it was called Byzantion. It was founded bu Byzas of Megara kahve 600 years ago from the times of Constantine
This area of the world has the rare luxury of almost literally drowning in historical artefacts.
Truly stunning. Just so beautiful.... Classic.... You have the best insights ❤
Thank you
Imagine how beautiful it must have been.
Istanbul is a magical place. All that history, memories, whisper to you. I used to live on the Asian side, and went to school on the European side. I travelled the Bosphorus everyday with a boat. Wherever I go, I miss those days.
Btw, current municipality has a project to restore the Byzantine Hippodrome. At least partly. There are many riches not presented in this video.
I have visited Istanbul 8 times and I still want to visit it again and again.
@nogaysallowed95since 1453 İstanbul :)
Constantinople...
Great video!
I walked pass the baths of Bayezid for 3 years while studying at Istanbul University next door and never noticed the reliefs on the foundation.
What did you study?
Sounds awesome.
The oldest structure prize belongs to the Egyptian obelisk near the Hagia Sophia. It is also the oldest structure in its original place,the base now being 10 feet blow the surface.
Great video. One note only is that turks didn't call Constantinople "istanbul" because it's a Greek name which is as old as Constantinople. It means "to the city" or "of the city" in Greek. It comes from "εις την Πόλη"
That's a common misconception but it's not true. Istanbul comes from Constantinople, with the first and the third syllables dropped in speech. (koSTANtinoPOLi)
It's the same thing with Thessaloniki, the second capital of the Byzantines after Constantinople, which was known as Saloniki/Salonica/Selanik around the world before the ancient name was revived in the 20th century.
So in the end Constantinople and Istanbul are the same word.
Yeah, they do that for New York too. In the outlying areas when you say I'm going to the city you know what people mean they mean, New York. So in this case, the term Istanbul is actually referring to Constantinople, The City.
In Serbia it was Empire City or Carigrad
Correct!
Not the turks destroyed the momunemts but earthquakes did. There were severall earthquakes in history that destroyed half of the entire city.
Turks were throwing flowers at the byzantines at the time of conquests and instead of fire 🔥 they used ping pong balls
Sad to see that even today, the state of Constantinople is miserable and of constant decay. Mandkind, whether they are Christians or not, should really retake this city to save and protect their historical artifacts from muslim control. Heck, not even just Constantinople, the rest of the historical world too!
Before I die, I have to see Constantinople and Rome. I feel a calling to go. Almost a feeling of going home... And I live on USA. Its calling me. Another good episode. Ty
No better time than now, won’t be there forever
@@stupidname4519 I'm afraid you're right.
There's no place called Constantinople, there is only Istanbul
@@kaankahraman1341 it will always be constantinople
@@christopherevans2445 Keep crying
Toldinstone i would love to hear your thoughts on the recent loss of the church of saint porphyrius
Love it!
One of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The old city was my childhood play ground untill age of 16. I was blessed as a child to live ve in Istanbul old city
Respect for doing this. ❤
as far as romans love their ruins, istambul residents hates the old stuff. that city is built over 9+ older version of the city. if you dig down, it's only ruins you found but they are all in very poor condition. the fact they still have the pole of ancient greek Delphi in the middle of nowhere in a pit full of garbage just shows how much they don't care about relics of the past.
How barbaric
Correct, and quite sad. They completely deride anything of the ancient past that is frankly not Muslim or Ottoman/Turk. Still ongoing to this day when workers dig and find old ruins they tell no one and just smash it all up.
@Tuisto I'm pretty sure that happens many places, including in the West.
Turkish governments have preserved many Roman/Byzantine churches and ruins though. There are a lot of preserved pagan period Roman cities and sites, as well. They have to show more effort to preserve other ruins. Americans even bury Native American sites, during construction developments' diggings Americans do not care much Native American sites for some reason. This is happening in South Florida as we speak. Construction workers are having mysterious diseases by constructing on these sacred Native American sites. Believe it or not.
I understand your ignorance because you do not really know the efforts. However, I invite you to understand that every piece of land in that area is a byzantine ruin. There is a big effort to restore these buildings but some of them where already ruins in the late eastern roman period. For example right now they are restoring Boukoleon Palace which is constructed in the 5th century and was already in ruins by the time Ottomans captured the city. Even with big budgets and effort, it is still very challenging to restore everything. Most of the archaeological findings do not even make it to museums because museums are full of other important artifacts. Please research better before accusing all the 18 million residents of Istanbul.
Excellent video :D
Crusaders (mostly venetians) sacked the city. They destroyed everything in this beautiful city. They took all the valuable artifacts to Venice where you can see them as a tourist. When the ottomans entered the city there was nothing of value except saint sofia and some other beautiful churches. Ottomans made Constantinople great again. There are much more very valuable remnants from the old city which is not shown here.
00:38 ''whatever'' the name lol...its only a bunch of internet trolls having patriotic spasms over a freking name, 95% of Turkey give literally zero fck if you call it Konstantiniyye or konstantinapolis
5:56 made to look like Hercules’s club specifically.
It is always very hard for me to learn about anything byzantine post 12th century. So much history and beauty destroyed.
When I was there 30 years ago it had the feel of a modern western secular city, women dressing skimpy and
boys and girls flirting openly. Women walking alone. Not a head covering in sight. Haghia Sophia was a musemn. Since Ertogan that has all changed and not for the better.
Honestly I don't understand why you think that first part is an improvement...
Still by all standards it is a modern open society with both free and religious side by side. Changes are for much better and competative with many best European cities.
Which is good
Oh thanks for you tube to reminding me to subscribe to this channel! Regards
Very interesting. Thank you.
Thank you so much for posting this. 😊 pleased Subscriber here 👋
Thank you. Fascinating.
This sounds like a lovely trip to take in the near future😊
Great topic ❤
Not Micklegarth, but Myklagard in norse. Mykla means large, and Gard means town to live (in modern norwegian, gard means a farm. But obviously the norse meaning was "slightly" different and flexible). The norse thus named Constantinople "the large town" in their language.
Seems to be related to modern Russian "gorod" (old Russian "grad") and before it gained the meaning of "city" it meant walls or fortifications. Rus' lands were called Gardariki in old norse which basically means "kingdom of fortifications" or something. So maybe Miklagard means large walls?
@@N1t3Owlprobably
Gård meant wall, not town. If you go to Istanbul, you'll understand why they called it "large wall"
@@demeter1793 I wrote "gard" quite specifically instead of "gård". It could mean a wall like you pointed to, but it also ment an enclosed area or homestead which became synonymous with a city.
@@rolfnilsen6385 well okay, but the name of the city is Miklagård
The biggest murderer and thief of this city is Enrico Dandolo
The only continuously surviving, living part of the Byzantine Empire is to be found today on Mount Athos.
This Empire was never called "Byzantine".
There never was a Byzantine Empire.
The historical truth
is that it was called the Eastern Roman Empire or Romania.
Its Emperors were called Romans
either orally or in Imperial letters. The citizens of this Empire also knew and said they were Roman citizens throughout the centuries.
The Empire known today as "Byzantine" never used that name for itself. The name we find in all sources, historical, diplomatic, poetic, legislative and even in commercial transactions, is the Roman Empire and Romania which was bestowed by Constantine the Great and was maintained from the foundation of New Rome (Constantinople) until its fall. , when the last Emperor Constantine the Paleologos was called "Emperor of the Romans and King of the Greeks".
Thnx
It's a shame how the Turks destroyed much of the Ancient Constantinapole. But I guess to the victor go the spoils.
its a shame youre so ignorant
It is unfortunate, but it happens all too often throughout history. Muslim Spanish Mosques became Churches, Aztec temples were demolished for Cathedrals, and Carthage was wiped off the earth for New Carthage (Roman City). It really makes history harder to learn due to the constant destruction of historical buildings.
@@abdullahtabanjahMuslim Spanish mosques were built on destroyed visigoth churches
Crusaders destroyed a lot as well
@@ecurewitzNothing much of value, some Mohamedean temples
Constantinople ❤
IF ONLY THERE WERE UPON THE FACE OF MOTHER EARTH A MAN OF WHOM DID THINKETH ON THE ROMAN EMPIRE DAILY ✨
As a Greek, it's my dream to visit Constantinople... It's to see what we've lost and what we might never gain back... To see what Greek civilisation was at its height.
i live in istanbul, its pretty nice here if you're gonna visit i can recommend some good restaurants
İstanbul, not Constantinople- since 1453. Accept it. You can live in your childish delusions at your own risk, tho.
Roman civilization*. Greek civilization didn't built the city
Unfortunately you missed constantinople with 550 years. Try your luck with Istanbul. By the way, it's roman civilisation not greek. So you can be hugely disappointed.
@@ItalMiser117 Except it did, cockroach. Do you really think that an Empire that was inhabited by Greeks who merely called themselves "Romans", who spoke Greek and who practiced Orthodoxy in contrast with Catholicism, is Roman? Piss off
Never forgotten in here❤
Vikings did not call it "micklegarth" but rather "Miklagarðr"
Lol yeah I caught that too, sounded so weird. In Sweden we call it Miklagård, så Norse comes more naturally but "Mickelgarth" has to be the weirdest pronunciation yet lol
I found this out from Dr. No , the ruins I mean 😂 thanks for posting this bro
Nice and informative video. When younger, i was in Istanbul 4 times. We as a family visited the very nice water reservoir with its very nice columns. I was impressed (does not happen often) by the enormous city walls and gates. Later in that holiday, 1987, we went to Troja, Milet, Pamukkele and the nex door Hierapolis(?), the chopped out wall in the mountain from Bodrum, and near Eskeshehir our Turkish friend showed us the homes from the Christians chopped out in the mountains. No tourists there, nobody. And we visited several other antique places were i do not know the name from. What did these people in their Byzanthium homes to cover their window opening from rain and cold? Regards from the Netherlands
You should do Byzantine Ephesus
Please do the Boulkoleon palace(there’s old pictures of it too) and it’s being restored now
So rise giants who make the Earth tremble
and all bow to them, till some do not
then fall the giants to the swords and spears of lesser men
until
So rise giants, who make the Earth tremble
and again
and again
and yesterday's giants become
tumbled stones and beautiful foundations
of todays giants.
Thank you
What is super weird to me is the fact that ancient monuments are phenomenal, very detail and super polished but the letters everywhere are creepy and walking all the directions 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you for this documentary. This is an example of how something beautiful like the West, which also included the Eastern Roman Empire, can be destroyed by internal divisions and bickering. This is a warning to the West that this history does not repeat itself on western europe and america
Absolutely. They have learnt from history unfortunately
When I walked to the Column of Marcian I noticed column ends being used around pedestrian areas to block vehicles. It made me wonder what structure they came from.
It's amazing how we destroy ourselves
How do stone structures end up consistently being “burning down”?
Istanbul, fascinating place.
The demolishion is caused also by earthquakes however. The buildings which have been collapsed used as stone quaries.
One of the coolest city names Constantinople changed to Istanbul sucks
Exactly exactly exactly istanbul is beyond pathetic islamic name like the rest of them, Constantinople is such a cool as name like seriously you like making that sound through the mouth itself. I want every European to appreciate history and never let these muslims enter EU ever. They destroy everything if they had ever gotten their hands to ROME 😢 their amazing churches their rich heritage would have been lost.
look man, been watching since the channel was new. I am 23 I have always loved money and history. Went to college studied finance and I am a member of multiple historical societies near me. Also have artifacts I have found myself in local museums. In my professional life I sell commercial real estate. Mostly industrial real estate. I have done well in just a few short years in my career. I am also a serious coin collector and numismatist. Other things I enjoy are boating hunting and especially metal detecting & Bottle digging. I also love and collect rocks minerals and fossils, this was my first hobby since I was a young boy maybe 5-6 years old. I have to say that along my lifetime journey this channel has inspired and entertained me. As a major history buff this is some of the best especially classic history content on RUclips. Another important note they don't teach anything like this or anything important in general in public high schools or really universities for that matter. Keep doing what your doing we love you !
Thank you.
There's a lot of ruins in Mesapotamia
It's hard to look at these things without getting angry
Well, there's always a little bit of history repeating itself....
If you feel angry or sad, or even proud of history, you need to get a life. Make something out of your life, be angry, sad, happy or proud of yourself, of your achievements and failures, not for what some people did 800 years ago.
Life's going to be difficult for you
No, he has every right to get angry or in any way emotionally invested in history, it shows he cares about civilization. The perpetual apathy of society in the west is one of the main reasons everything is going to hell in a handbasket, we need more people who care, not less. As long as he uses the anger for positive means it is absolutely healthy.
@@classiclife7204 Life is difficult
why does it feel like we've regressed since these times?
Afonso de Albuquerque and his revenge!... Parts of history untold!!!!!
is there a meaning beside the symbolism to obelisks such as column of marcion? like could it be used as beacons to maintain communication between settlements?
Nice!
Visited Istanbul several times and this gives another perspective. Great video!