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The Hippodrome, which encompassed the area now overshadowed by Sultanahmet Mosque, was the scene of horse races during the Byzantine Period. First built by Septimus Severus and enlarged by Constantine I, the Hippodrome was flanked on three sides by tiers of seating.

Originally, the Hippodrome was an arena for wild beasts, with a moat built around it to protect the spectators from these animals. Later, when such games were abandoned, a long terrace once known as the 'Spina' was built in the center. The Dikilitaş (Obelisk), Burmali Siitun (Spiral Column) were erected along the spina as well as various statues depicting a man in combat with a lion, a dying bull, Hercules (by the sculptor Lisippos of Chios), a wild horse, and an eagle grasping a snake.

Sultanahmet Mosque as seen from Hagia Sophia. The mosque was built for Sultan Ahmet I by Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga between 1609-17. The mosque is flanked by many other buildings, including a tomb, a medrese, baths, a soup kitchen and a hospital.

Measuring 118 m. by 370 m., the Hippodrome had high walls, a seating capacity for 100,000 spectators, as well as entrances through both of the long walls and the Antiochus Portal, which was located below the Emperor’s Lodge. Forty rows of seats supported by arcades lined the arena. The stairs to the tiers and the circular promenade above them were decorated with statues.

The Kaiser Wilhelm II Fountain (Alman ,eßmesi) now occupies the site of what was once the Emperor’s Lodge (Catizma), from which the Emperor and his court would watch the games. There he rested, dined, and received visitors. The gallery in front of this lodge resembled a tower, and was decorated with four bronze statues by Lisippos of Chios.

The colored silk banners which adorned the Imperial Lodge as protection against the sun at times seemed to be the auger of the games. After preparations were completed, spectators would gather in the Hippodrome at an early hour to watch the combat between the Greens and the Blues, taking sides in each combat, and fiercely supporting their champions, even to the extent of fighting amongst themselves. It is said that at this stage the Emperor would retire to his place along a raised traverse until the uproar had died down. Eventually, these games were forbidden, and the Hippodrome was used only during festive days.

It is believed that during the Latin occupation of Istanbul, the statues of the Hippodrome were ripped off their pedestals, their metal plaques melted down for re-use, and the finest works removed to the west. For example; LisipposO four bronze horses now decorate the facade of St. Marco in Venice. The once-grandiose Hippodrome was largely abandoned and left in ruins by the time of the Turkish conquest in 1453.

The Obelisk

Two obelisks facing one another can still be seen in Sultanahmet Square. One of these, which is inscribed with hieroglyphics, was shipped from Egypt by Emperor Theodosius and placed in its present position in the Hippodrome.

Standing 18.45 m. high, (24.87 m. including its base), it was constructed of syenite porphyry and given the name the “Column of Theodosius”, It weighs 200 tons and is supported on a marble plinth measuring 2.75 x 2.20m. The plinth is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting the life of Theodosius.

The northern face shows Byzantine Emperor Arcadius together with his wife, Eudocsia, seated in the Catizma of the Hippodrome. The western face shows Emperor Theodosius, enthroned, together with his wife and his children, Arcadius and Honorius.

Standing before them are the defeated enemies of the empire. On the eastern face, Emperor Theodosius is shown watching the games together with his two children, while on the southern face, he is shown with his two sons on his right, and on his left, Valantinius II, watching a chariot race.

The Obelisk and minarets of the Sultanahmet Mosque.

The German Fountain. This fountain in Sultanahmet Square was built by the architect Spitta in Germany between 1898 and 1899.
In 1901, it was given as a present by the German Kaiser Wilhelm II to Sultan Abdiilhamit II. The dome’s interior is gold and the walls are covered with tiles.

The Obelisk. The plinth is decorated with bas-reliefs showing the life of Theodosius. Reliefs of Theodosius and Arcadius on the pedestal of the the Obelisk. The Obelisk. The hieroglyphics commemmorate Pharoah Tutmosis III.

Sultanahmet Square:

This column was transported by sea, and brought to its present site on a specially constructed road. According to an inscription, the column was erected in 32 days, with the help of scaffolding.

The hieroglyphics depict the glory of Pharoah Tutmosis III, who had the obelisk constructed at the Temple of Karnak in Lower Egypt in 1547 B.C. In brief, the content of these hieroglyphics is as follows: on the eastern side, “Tutmosis III, of the XVIII Dynasty, master of Upper and Lower Egypt, on the 30th anniversary of his reign, as conqueror of the seas and rivers, has erected this obelisk for countless anniversaries to come”; on the southern face, “With the strength and approval of the god Horus, Tutmosis,” and, “Tutmosis, the all-powerful and all-just son of the Sun, ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, has penetrated as far as Mesopotamia, at the head of his armies, has shown his might on the Mediterranean, and has fought great battles”; on the western face, “Tutmosis, son of the Sun, who bears the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt on his brow through the strength, might, and wealth of Horos, after paying tribute to the god Amon-ra, built this work for his father, the god Amon-ra, that it may spread light like the rays of the sun to mankind”; on the northern face, “Tutmosis paid tribute to the god, determined to enlarge the borders of his country as far as Mesopotamia.”

The Obelisk

The Walled Obelisk

At the rear part of Sultanahmet Square is a column repaired by Constantine VII. The obelisk, constructed of ashlar blocks, is 32 m. in height, and is reputed to have been decorated with bronze plates depicting the victories of Constantine and his grandfather Basil I (867-886), and crowned with a sphere. Unfortunately, however, these bronze artifacts are said to have been melted down by the Latins for use in the mint.

Serpentine Column

This column was brought to Istanbul in 330 A.D. by Constantine the Great from the temple of Apollo at Delphi. It was originally presented to the temple of Apollo by the 31 Greek cities as a token of gratitude for their defeat of the Persians in the maritime battle of Platea in 479 B.C.

A golden vase was set on top of the column, which was in the form of three interwined snakes. It was 8m high, including the triple snake heads, which appeared towards the top of the column at a height of 6.5 m. Records show that these snake heads were in place at the beginning of the 16th century, after which they were broken off.

Beyazit Tower, built in 1856.

Constantine’s Column. This column was brought from the Temple of Apollo in Rome and erected in Istanbul. It is believed that it was originally topped by a statue of Apollo greeting the dawn. The column was made of eight porphyry drums which were wreathed with laurel.

The statue of Constantine which adorned the column’s top was later replaced with a statue of Theodosius, which was later dislodged by a bolt of lightning in 1081. The column was restored by Alexius Comnenos I and a gilded cross and inscription on the capital replaced the statue. A severe fire damaged the column during the reign of Mustafa II, who subsequently had a layer of stone added to the base and iron hoops affixed around the body. The column derives its name, Cemberlitas, ‘Hooped Column’ from these iron rings.
The Serpentine Column.

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The Obelisk

Sultanahmet Square:

The Obelisk

The Walled Obelisk

Serpentine Column

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