During the reign of Leo V (813 – 820) an addition to the Theodosian land walls was constructed at the Golden Horn end. This enclosed a small area outside the main walls.
The remains of a round room with a spiral staircase and a barrel vaulted chamber still ornament these walls.
Ruins of walls of Leo V including structures attributed to the Church of St Nicholas
Müller-Weiner suggests that this was once a church of St Nicholas. It is now in an area of pilgrimage for Muslims visiting the türbes marking the burial sites of two Companions of the Prophet who died in the first Arab siege of Constantinople. You can read about them here.
Arch of the church visible on the outside of the walls
Since 1976, the walls around the church remains have been restored to some extent, supporting the existing Byzantine walls.
View of the church in 1976 (from Müller-Weiner, 1977)
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