2.53 FC – Building and Creating Infrastructures in Byzantium

Byzantine material culture, especially architectural and urban heritage, in modern Türkiye survives within a complex web of ideological, political, and practical tensions that influence its conservation, interpretation, and valorization. Here, Byzantine heritage has long occupied a ‘marginal’ —and often contested— position within national heritage narratives. This contribution examines these dynamics through the case of Trabzon,…

The study of Byzantine building process has traditionally been framed within a strict hierarchical structure, with patrons at the top, exerting full control over construction projects. However, recent scholarship suggests a more complex system of building organization, where various individuals played active roles in shaping architectural projects. This paper explores the key stakeholders in the…

Istanbul Sea Walls, a monumental testament to Byzantine engineering and defensive strategies, represent a complex palimpsest of architectural enhancements, repairs, and rebuilds. These fortifications, initially erected during the reign of Constantine I (306-337) and subsequently augmented by Theodosius II (408-450), served as a critical defense against maritime assaults, safeguarding the city’s coasts and strategic harbors….

The purpose of this contribution is to present the current work of the project “Mills in Byzantium and Their Economic and Social Impact” (2025-2029) funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). It will study the relationship between humans and nature, and the entanglement of technology in this process by exploring how milling was integrated into…