Mangana (Greek:Μάγγανα) was one of the quarters ofByzantine-eraConstantinople. Located on the easternmost edge of the Sirkeci peninsula, it housed an imperial palace, arsenal and several churches and charitable establishments throughout the middle and late Byzantine periods.
The quarter was located on the extreme east of the peninsula, directly above theGreat Palace and between the ancientacropolis ofByzantium and theBosporus strait.[1][2] It took its name from a largearsenal for military engines (mangana).[3] The site was closely connected to the nearby Great Palace, and several emperors constructed buildings there. EmperorMichael I Rhangabe (r. 811–813) owned a mansion there which was converted into a crown domain by EmperorBasil I (r. 867–886) and administered by akourator.[1][3] The position of[megas] kourator ([μέγας] κουράτωρ τῶν Μαγγάνων) also involved the supervision of imperial estates in the provinces, whose proceeds went to the upkeep of the imperial court, as well as to supplying military expeditions.[1]
EmperorConstantine IX Monomachos (r. 1042–1055) built a monastery dedicated toSaint George (with acloister and surroundinggarden), as well as a hospital, a palace, old-age homes, hostels,poor-houses, and alaw school.[3][4] During his reign, Constantine IX granted the "pronoia of Mangana" toConstantine (III) Leichoudes who would later becomePatriarch of Constantinople. The termpronoia would usually mean that Leichoudes enjoyed the proceeds of the Mangana, but in this case its meaning is debatable.[3] During the 14th century, EmperorJohn VI Kantakouzenos (r. 1347–1354) lived at Mangana as a monk for a period of time after his abdication in 1354.[3]
Constantine IX died after contractingpleurisy while bathing in thepond at the monastery of Saint George in January 1055.[5] He was ultimately buried at the monastery.[3] Years later, the palace that Emperor Monomachos built at Mangana was destroyed by EmperorIsaac II Angelos (r. 1185–1195 and 1203–1204), but the monastery complex of Saint George survived until thefall of Constantinople in May 1453.[3] Since its construction, the Byzantine imperial court made annual visits to the monastery on April 23, which was thefeast day of Saint George.[3] This tradition was interrupted during theFourth Crusade in 1204, after whichLatin monks briefly occupied the monastery, until theReconquest of Constantinople by the Byzantines in 1261.[3] During theByzantine civil war of 1341–1347, the Byzantine theologian and statesmanDemetrios Kydones retired to an apartment at the monastery of Saint George after having obtained anadelphaton (or the right, granted on payment of a sum of money, to live in a monastery without becoming a monk).[2] The monastery was particularly famous during the 14th century when it containedrelics of thePassion of Christ and became a place ofpilgrimage forOrthodox faithful from as far away asRussia.[3] After theFall of Constantinople in 1453, the monastery complex was occupied for a short time bydervishes, before being demolished by theOttomans to make way for the construction of theTopkapi Palace.[3]
41°00′43″N28°59′14″E / 41.0119°N 28.9871°E /41.0119; 28.9871