Egri Kapou and the Porta Kaligaria
Between the sixth and seventh towers of the Wall of Emperor Manuel Comnenus, there is a gate now called Egri Kapou (meaning “Crooked Gate”). Some historians have thought this gate was the Porta Charisiou, but strong evidence shows that it is actually the Porta Kaligaria—a gate that played a major role during the final siege of Constantinople in 1453 The Gate Near the Palace of Blachernae.
Why is this identification certain? The name Kaligaria came from the area near the gate, which was known for producing military shoes called caligae in Latin. This neighborhood, due to its craft, was called the Kaligaria Quarter.
The wall that surrounded this area was close to the imperial palace and was a single strong line of defense, without a moat, unlike the double-walled system used elsewhere in the city. The construction was especially solid and notable for its strength.
From one of its towers, Emperor Constantine XI Dragases and his friend, the historian George Phrantzes, were able to observe the movements of the Ottoman army early on the morning of May 29, 1453, the day of the city’s fall. They also heard the sounds of the Turkish forces making their final preparations for the attack.
All of these clues match the location and features of the wall where Egri Kapou stands today. For this reason, most experts agree that Egri Kapou is the historical Porta Kaligaria.
The Wall’s Inscription
The only surviving inscription on the Wall of Emperor Manuel is very simple. It includes just two words:
“ΥΠΕΡ ΕΛ ΧΙC”, which are carved into a stone on the left side of the gate that leads from inside the city into the square tower nearby. These words likely form part of a longer phrase, perhaps a religious dedication.
The Siege of 1453 and the Wall’s Strength
During the Ottoman siege of 1453, the Wall of Emperor Manuel was heavily targeted because of its close location to the Palace of Blachernae. The Turkish army used artillery and gunpowder, including a massive cannon made by Orban, to try to break through this wall. A battery of three cannons fired at the wall repeatedly Private Bosphorus Tours.
However, the wall held firm. The cannons made very little damage, and as a result, Sultan Mehmed II ordered the guns to be moved to a different part of the city—the Gate of St. Romanus, where the walls were weaker.
In addition to the artillery, skilled miners from Novobrodo in Serbia were brought in to dig tunnels under the wall in hopes of causing it to collapse. But their efforts had only limited success. They managed to damage an old tower, but their mining tunnels were discovered and blocked by John Grant, a German engineer helping the Byzantines. His counter-mines stopped the Turkish miners effectively.
The Wall of Emperor Manuel Comnenus, especially the gate now called Egri Kapou, played a critical role during the last days of the Byzantine Empire. It was a strong and well-designed fortification that withstood artillery and mining for much of the final siege. The gate’s historical identity as Porta Kaligaria is supported by clear geographic and historical evidence, making it one of the most important landmarks in the story of Constantinople’s fall.
