Column of Constantine

The Column of Constantine, in Istanbul

The Column of Constantine is one of the rare vestiges of Roman times in Istanbul, erected to celebrate the foundation of Constantinople. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this column raised in 328 in the centre of a great forum, symbol of the transfer of the imperial capital to this new Rome, several times tested by storms and fires, and that the inhabitants nickname the burnt column.

History

On your right stands another vestige of Roman times, the Column of Constantine, the last still standing. It was part of an immense Roman forum, built at the edge of the enclosure of Septimius Severus and destined to become the centre of the new capital. It was not a column among others: it marked the heart of the forum and celebrated the foundation of Constantinople. Erected in 328 and dedicated in 330, it symbolises the transfer of the capital to this new Rome and the victory of Constantine over Licinius in 324. The statue of the emperor, sole master of all the empire, sat at its summit. In the eleventh century, a storm made it fall, and it was replaced by a cross, that the Ottomans in turn made disappear at the taking of Constantinople. In the eighteenth century, a fire finished damaging the column; the sultan of the time consolidated it by installing the metal rings still visible today. Become over time a relic of little importance in the eyes of the inhabitants, it is simply nicknamed the burnt column.

What to see

Here you admire the last standing vestige of an immense Roman forum, erected in 328 to celebrate the foundation of Constantinople and the transfer of the imperial capital; tested by a storm then a fire, consolidated by metal rings, it is nicknamed the burnt column. The Column of Constantine is a rare witness of Roman Istanbul. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Column of Constantine stands on Çemberlitaş square, near the mosque Atik Ali Pasha and the Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul, reachable on foot and served by the tramway. It is a monument in free access in the public space, that you discover during a walk.

Why is the Column of Constantine nicknamed the burnt column?

Because in the eighteenth century a fire damaged it strongly, after a storm had already made fall in the eleventh century the statue of the emperor at its summit; the sultan then consolidated it with the metal rings still visible. Erected in 328 to celebrate the foundation of Constantinople, it is the last standing vestige of a great Roman forum.

Where is the Column of Constantine in Istanbul?

On Çemberlitaş square, near the Grand Bazaar, in Istanbul, in Turkey.