Old Roman Port on the south wall of the city
When I was making my way to the Choro Church (see my Choro Church page), I kept the city wall in view to my west and this was the way I navigated. In hindsight, maybe I should have remained outside the city wall and kept the wall on my east, since much of the land directly outside the city wall was park or agricultural land being actively farmed. There was a nice sidewalk for pedestrians.
My first view of the western wall near the Topkapi transit stop
My first view of the western wall near the Topkapi transit stop
I came across this park by accident, just inside the wall, while walking to the Choro Church
Another day I decided to do a walking tour from my Sultanahmet neighborhood to the Bosporus waterfront. Then I followed the water (and city wall) southward all the way around to the southwest corner of the city. My city map called for something called "dungeons", but my guidebooks didn't mention anything. I found a large brick structure on the SW corner of the city called Yenikapi Fort or "Seven Towers" and walked around to the entrance on the east side. I paid the 10 Turkish Lira entry fee and started exploring this old castle. I was the only visitor here for the two hours that I was exploring this site. It was great.
Yenikapi Fort, inside view, in the SW corner of the old city
Walking along the upper walkway of the Yenikapi Fort, looking out to the Bosporus - Look out ! no guardrail
Walking along the upper walkway of the Yenikapi Fort - Look out ! no guardrail
After visiting the Seven Towers, I continued following the wall northward, keeping the exterior wall on my right. Most of this area was designated parkland with a generous sidewalk, or seemed to be used for growing crops. In any regard, it was great for walking.
One of the portals in the wall leading into the old city
I made my way to the wall's Topkapi Gate, and found a museum called "Panorama 1453". I didn;t know what this was, and neither of my two guidebook had a mention of the museum, but I still paid the 10 TL fee to see the inside of the building. I found out it was a panoramic museum (inside designed similar to a planetarium with a 360 degree view) celebrating the "liberation" of the City of Constantinople by the Turkish Ottomans in the year 1453.
Looking south along the wall with the modern freeway alongside, outside the old city