The Kontoscalion Harbour has been a subject of historical discussion, but there is little doubt about its correct identification. Several pieces of evidence support the view that the harbour near Koum Kapoussi corresponds to the Kontoscalion, which was an important naval and commercial port in Byzantine Constantinople Towers and Harbours of Constantinople.
Continuity of the Name
One important piece of evidence is the continuity of the name Kontoscalion. Historical sources indicate that this name has been used for this quarter of the city ever since the Turkish Conquest. The persistence of the name over centuries strengthens the identification of the harbour in this location.
Corroborating Historical Accounts
The writings of several historians also support this view. For example, Pachymeres and Bondelmontius associate the harbour with Vlanga, while Nicephorus Gregoras connects it to the Hippodrome. These associations are understandable if the harbour is placed at Koum Kapoussi. Furthermore, the presence of the coat-of-arms of Andronicus II on the walls of the harbour confirms that it was restored during his reign, as stated in historical accounts.
Objections and Clarifications
Some scholars have raised objections based on the difference in the character of the harbour enclosure. The existing remains at Koum Kapoussi consist of the ordinary city walls, while historical records describe the Kontoscalion under Michael Palaeologus as being enclosed with very large blocks of stone.
This objection can be addressed in two ways. First, it is possible that the large stones mentioned by Pachymeres were those forming the mole of the harbour, the protective structure extending into the sea. Second, the work under Michael Palaeologus may have been temporary and later replaced by the improvements carried out by his son, Andronicus II. In this way, the differences in construction can be reconciled with historical records Istanbul Private Guided Tours.
Overall, the evidence strongly supports the identification of the Kontoscalion Harbour with the area near Koum Kapoussi. The continuity of the name, historical accounts associating the harbour with landmarks, and the surviving coat-of-arms of Andronicus II all reinforce this view. While objections about the nature of the enclosure exist, they can be explained by the use of moles or later renovations.
