Everyone who is interested in history knows him. We are talking about one of the greatest representatives of courage, determination and patriotism. Konstantinos Paleologos. So, do we have any information about the tomb (where he was buried) of this brave ruler? Unfortunately, all we know is rumors. We know that somewhere in Constantinople, this ruler, who fought for his country and people until he was martyred, is waiting to be discovered.
As I have stated before, there are many different claims regarding the death and tomb of Konstantinos XI. Among these claims, there are some quite interesting ones. Today, however, we do not know exactly where his tomb is, and historians refrain from making clear statements about it.
Allegations About His Death
We know that there are many different claims about this subject in historical sources. The most basic common point of these allegations is that Constantine XI was martyred by fighting bravely for his country, religion and people. Although it is a very funny rumor that he committed suicide, it will be sufficient to state that this ridiculous rumor is included in Ottoman sources to understand its accuracy. Although it is stated that he ordered his soldiers to kill him, this legend is not true either. He dressed like an ordinary soldier and fought. This great leader, who started to fight with his soldiers as soon as he realized that Constantinople was going to fall, was first injured and then martyred. Constantine XI, who did not stop from the moment he was injured and continued to fight without treatment, defended his city, although he had the opportunity to escape. There are many different sources that the Ottoman soldiers searched for his body after his death.
The allegations about his burial place
Vefa After the fall of Constantinople, there was no clear information about the emperor’s tomb. Several possible burial sites were known in Constantinople in the mid-19th century, when various legends were formed. The strongest of these possibilities is the Vefa region, where massacres took place after the fall of Constantinople. The prisoners were executed here, the Byzantine soldiers were buried here. The claim that Constantine was buried in the garden of a house in the Vefa District was quite popular. The Greeks of Constantinople used to light candles next to the tree in the garden of this house.
Another known possibility was the Church of St. Theodosia (Μονή τής Άγιας Θεοδοσίας εν τοις Δεξιοκράτους). This church is now a mosque. (Gül Mosque) It is rumored that after the fall of Constantinople, he was buried here by the people.
Church of the Apostles (Άγιοι Απόστολοι)
Another possibility expressed by the public was the Church of the Apostles (Άγιοι Απόστολοι). This church was considered highly likely as it was a church where emperors were buried. It was later destroyed and Fatih Mosque was built in its place. The tomb of Ottoman Sultan Mehmet II is also here.
Another possibility is that the head of the emperor was buried in Hagia Sophia. Sultan Mehmet was eager to find XI.Konstantin’s body. It is known that the emperor wanted to display his dead body to the public. It can be said that this information pollution arises from many reasons. The strongest of many possibilities is that the brave emperor was buried in an unknown place with his soldiers. Turkish films and series, which portray the people and rulers of Eastern Rome as cowardly and insidious, have recently been criticized by Turkish historians. All kinds of movies and TV shows that disrespect the memory of this brave ruler are simply an unnecessary nationalist masturbation. We bow respectfully before the memory of this brave emperor who chose to stay and fight while he could live comfortably in any European city as a noble European. He did not leave his country by taking shelter in a British battleship like the last Ottoman Emperor and surrendered his life as a hero soldier. History is the best teacher who knows and teaches who is righteous and brave.
Konstantinos Sen
