Byzantine Ruins on the Istanbul Archeology Museum Walkway

Previously, the pathway between Topkapi Garden Park and Gülhane Park offered a free tour of Byzantine ruins. Three areas contain a smattering of hidden crosses, demonstrating the cross’s importance to Byzantine believers. I documented what was formerly there, and now they are redoing this walking area. My videos preserve what was formerly there, which are found on my YouTube channel, Exploring with Nakhati Jon.

I have placed a Google Map marking the numerous spots within the Archaeology Museum’s courtyard and outside the entrance. This write focuses on the museum’s exterior.

Byzantine History is more than scattered crosses on the ground; it is the story of an expected hope found in Christ. The political tale shows authorities who tried to display their faith in rock.

As one approaches from the Topkapi area, the ruins previously on one’s right, scattered along the Archaeology Museum wall, are shown in the video. Now they are redoing this area (pic below). Of particular interest is a Constantine-era sarcophagus, deteriorating in the elements, currently in its new place.

Near the entrance on this side is a Byzantine stone with a Hare (Rabbit). The hare represented fertility in Roman art and Rebirth in Byzantine depictions. The marble image sits upside down near the path.

Other side Byzantine ruins near the Mint Wall

The Byzantines displayed marble cross panels as church interior dividers. These displays loomed large at the front of the church, separating sections. This one exhibits the tree of life framed with a cross-like border, yet squeezed between a pillar and a grave.

This cross capital (upside down insito) with ionic scroll designs would have sat upon a pillar, most likely greeting those entering the church area. The cross became the central projection in this capital.

As mentioned the area near the Mint wall also is under construction and hopefully many of these fascinating Byzantine ruins will be put on display. Pic taken Feb. 2026. One Royal Roman tomb sits along the wall currently.

The Corner Hidden Crosses towards Gülhane

As one walks toward the Gulhane Park, a small corner lot use to show forgotten ruins. On the left is the picture from 2023, when the pillar stood with a capital; in 2025, the capital was on the ground. In the 10th-century mosaic in the Hagia Sophia, the flower-like cross is displayed upon Justinian’s crown, in which he presents the church’s rendition to Mary and baby Jesus.^[1]https://historum.com/t/the-fleur-de-lis-a-byzantine-imperial-motif.130878/ Now these ruins have been cleared and other platforms for future use were being made at the beginning of 2026 when I visited the city. Watch my Youtube videos to see what formerly was along this walkway.

Byzantine ruins on the way to Gülhane

Just around the corner, a few more hidden items lay exposed to the elements.

The Byzantines used Greek letters for seals and monograms. This one (laid upside down insito) forms the cruciform monogram, where letters form on each end of the cross. The name of Jesus on the right and left (I and C form Ιησούς, the Greek word for Jesus), and then the upper frame marks the family name “T” and “A” at the bottom, most likely relates also.^[2]https://www.academia.edu/106492501/Reading_and_Displaying_Monograms_on_Byzantine_Signet_Rings?b=25_percent_vector Possibly this is capital marking for Tiberius III whose given name Apsimar marks the lower portion. He ruled from 698 to 705 AD.

Tiberius III rule ended suddenly in a revolt and Justinian II replaced him, whose monogram possibly is on the opposite site of this capital (markings of a vertical I and A – Ἰουστινιανός). On observation, the pockmarks possibly demonstrate a second use of this side of the capital when Justinian II came back into power. He ruled from 685 to 695 and then again in 705 to 711 AD.

Check out my other walking tours, writings on God’s Oneness, or insights to the Hagia Sophia.

Now this walkway towards the park is being renewed for future displays of ruins.