The Neorion at the Heptascalon was one of the lesser-known harbours on the southern shore of Constantinople, but it played an important role in trade and naval activity. Its history illustrates the challenges of maintaining harbours in the city and the care taken by Byzantine emperors to restore them when needed The Neorion at the Heptascalon in the 1351 Naval Battle.
Condition in the 14th Century
By 1351, the harbour was in very poor condition, according to the historian Cantacuzene. Over the years, sand had accumulated, making the waters shallow. Ships loaded with cargo could barely float, which limited trade and naval operations.
To address this problem, Cantacuzene, following his policy to strengthen the Empire’s naval resources, ordered the harbour to be dredged. This was a labor-intensive and costly process, but it significantly improved the harbour’s usability. The restoration was so thorough that in some sources the harbour is referred to as the New Neorion, emphasizing the scale of the work and the importance of keeping the port operational for public and commercial purposes.
Confusion About the Location
Historical identification of the Neorion at the Heptascalon has been difficult for scholars. Du Cange, a later historian, mistakenly placed the harbour on the Golden Horn, north of the city. His reasoning was based on the existence of a Church of St. Acacius in the Tenth Region, a northern district of Constantinople.
However, identifying a harbour by a church alone is not reliable. Many churches shared the same dedication, and Constantinople had several churches named after St. Acacius. In addition to the northern church cited by Du Cange, other sources mention a church of St. Acacius on the southern side of the city, near the Church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus. This demonstrates that the northern church cannot be assumed to indicate the location of the harbour Guide Ensar.
Location on the Sea of Marmara
Because of these references, it is likely that the Neorion at the Heptascalon was located on the Sea of Marmara, rather than on the Golden Horn. Its proximity to important southern harbours, such as the Harbour of Julian and the Harbour of Hormisdas, also fits with historical accounts of Byzantine naval operations.
This southern location explains why Cantacuzene found it silted and shallow by the 14th century, as coastal sand naturally accumulates along the Sea of Marmara, requiring constant maintenance. It also aligns with reports of ships and commercial activity associated with the harbour in earlier centuries.
The Neorion at the Heptascalon illustrates the challenges of maintaining harbours in Constantinople, particularly on the southern shore. Over centuries, natural processes like sand accumulation required costly restorations. By the 14th century, Cantacuzene’s dredging work was essential to keep the harbour functional. Despite confusion among later historians, evidence strongly indicates that the Neorion was situated on the Sea of Marmara, near the Church of St. Acacius and close to other key southern harbours, forming an important part of the city’s maritime infrastructure.
