The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-08-15

The loftiest towers are about 30 feet
high. From their submits there is one OF
the finest views to be obtained even in Con-
stantsnople. Looking far To the south over
the deep blue of the Marmora, the Argan-
thonian mountain range OK Bithynia is
visible until it loses itself in the sea on
the right toward the Dardanelles, Ard
over the serried heights OF those purple
mountains, that snowy mass. like furled
ana sleeping cloud, is surely none other
than the broad and hoary peak of the
Mysan Olympus. at whose feet nestles
the beautiful and many -mosqued Brusa.
There was originally near the Golden
gate citadel built outside the walls on
the sea shore. AT that time. and for many
centuries until the final capture of the
city. the Golden gate was the first or near
est military gate to the sea of Marmora.
and after the manner OF the old Rome,
constituted \ great triumphai arch for the
imperial professions 10 enter into the city
on all occasions of civil or military import
ance. The central OF the three archways
of the inner gate. the small Golden gate.
was dedicated TO the use Of the emperor
alone. The names Imply that these beauti-
ful marble gates were decorated with or
nanents OF gold.
On both sides Of the Golden gate sculp-
lures representing classical subjects. such
the Ls,ors OF Hercules. adorned tie
walls.
And the two nanklng towers of marble
give this noble structure almost the same
appearance today as IL represented fifteen
centuries ago. But the preseD; citadel OF
the Seven towers was built by Mohammed
IL. after the capture Of constaniin0pie. 10
strengthen his conquest and form a chief
garrison for the Jauissar.es. II WAS con-
siructed around the Golden gate. which
therefore formed the principal entrance 10
the stronghold.
ing, OF sl!ghter ouiid than are the Hand
ward walls, becauscd the besseScd were
very often assisted by both sea and car
rent. against which tho besiegcrs had 70
reckon Bat their construction i a clear
and standing proof CT the great foresight
that was everywhere shown IA the fortlt3-
cation Of the city. They are In posI places
protected al their base By a rampant of
eouleerS- Both the seward and the land.
wards walls are constructed IL the Byzan-
tine method. namely with alternate lay
crs Of marble Cor stone) and hrick. This
method has THE advantage Of enabling the
wall or tower 10 more easily withstand
earthquake shocks
The seward walls are considerably
Strengthened with marble shafts in order
10 resist more sffecluaiiy the corrosive ac-
ton of the salt water. i}ut their chief Pc
cuisarly ia doubtless their irrrgular.ty II
Hne, 80 as - admit OF their receiving oe.s-
astit me oe&IHg OF tbe waves. fasfety
oaViatsng and couuteyactIug the treTneu-
doas force WIKI which the rolling waves
would beat and break upon long line 81
walls Hh4r the wind was blowing direct
across the AArTuora from the south. That
even with these wise precautions. constant
vigilance and freQuen; repairs were neces-
sary. may be gathered from the various
Inscriptions 20 this effect
one OF TIRE towers bears q graphic -
scriptton - this effect: IN the year l6zl
the Emperor Basil. the ptoas sovereign.
erected from the foundations this tower
which the dashfng OF the sea THAI battered
Il for long time with -aacn and violent
surge. compelled ia fall" Another IN
scrsptson testlf3es that the tower on which
IL IL PLACED hss he%r ''r4ysa frs9 hy Manuel
the chrtst-lovins sovereign. Pcrphyrogenl-
tas and emperor 81 the Romans son OF
Comnenus. II the year 1854"