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Modern Description: This area of the mediaeval city is a labyrinth of tiny, crooked streets. The Marine Gate was the front door of the city through which all outside visitors first passed, having disembarked in the Commercial Harbour. It breaks the faceless curtain of the harbour walls: its massive volumes—no less impressive than those of the d'Amboise Gate—are here taller and more eloquent of importance than practical for defence. There is a double door-frame in marble inside, with two guard rooms on either side in the passage. Above the gate are the eroded statues of the Virgin Mary (Protectress of the City), St John (Protector of the Knights' Order) and (?) St Peter, whose presence here may refer to the fact that it was receipts from Rome in the Jubilee Year announced by Sixtus IV for 1477 that funded the construction of the gate's two towers, erected by Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson in the following year. The Marine Gate leads immediately into the liveliest area of the town. One block directly ahead of the gate (west, up Aeólou Street) is an area of open excavation where the foundations of the eastern wall of the Byzantine fortifications of the city can be seen below the ruins of a Turkish hamam. A further 10m south on Aristoménous Street is the 19th century Shadirvan Mosque whose bold octagonal form and imposing height dominate the surrounding skyline.
Wikidata ID: Q38282520
Trismegistos Geo: 2057

Info: McGilchrist's Greek Islands

(From McGilchrist’s Greek Islands, © Nigel McGilchrist 2010, excerpted with his gracious permission. Click for the books)

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