Late 13th/Early 14th Century (Byzantine Era): Tekfur Sarayi Constructed
The Tekfur Sarayi was built to be a symbol of strength during a very tumultuous time in the history of Istanbul. The Byzantine government wanted to show that their power over the region was sturdy and so they reflected this sturdiness in the construction of many great palaces (1). Throughout the Byzantine empire, the government made used of their artisan and technological advancements to portray Byzantine greatness within the urban framework (2). This Byzantine architectural portrayal of power can still be seen in today's Istanbul with buildings like the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Hagia Sofia and others, which seem to loom larger-than-life over the rest of the city (2). The Tekfur Sarayi is another amazing example of purposeful symbolic structure because it was built so intentionally at a time when the city of Istanbul needed reassurance of Byzantine strength.
"Empires inevitably fall, and when they do, history judges them for the legacies they leave behind." Noah Feldman, Harvard Law Professor
For the Byzantine Empire, which was in decline throughout the late 13th century, erecting such a physical marvel was also a reflection on the past centuries of Byzantine dominance in the region (2). This sense of nostalgia is prevalent in many aspects of the building from its location in the old city to its highlights of craftsmen and masonry techniques remnant of earlier eras of Byzantine dominance. The building did not stand as a symbol of Byzantine success for long though because less than 150 years after it was constructed, the city of Istanbul was conquered by the Ottomans. Thus, nowadays the building represents something quite the opposite of its original purpose, for it is seen just as much as a relic from the fall of the Byzantine empire as it is a monument to an empire's had centuries of prosperity.