Hippodrome of Constantinople

The hippodrome of Constantinople, in Istanbul

The hippodrome of Constantinople is a long public square, today called the Sultan-Ahmet square, that was the monumental arena of the chariot races in Roman times. The Istanbul audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this circus begun by Septimius Severus and completed under Constantine, of which subsist two obelisks and a piece of twisted column, vestiges of the splendour of the new imperial capital.

History

This long public square, today called the Sultan-Ahmet square, was in Roman times the hippodrome of Constantinople. This monumental arena, where the chariot races took place, was begun by the emperor Septimius Severus at Byzantium and completed under the reign of Constantine, in his new capital. Built like a classical Roman circus in the shape of a hairpin, the hippodrome had stands at the south-west extremity, the starting stalls of the chariots being at the other end, towards the current location of the German Fountain. Constantine had not skimped on the means to endow his capital with sumptuous decorations, most of which have disappeared, notably after the sack of Constantinople and the earthquakes. Three elements have however subsisted: two obelisks and a piece of twisted bronze column. The obelisk covered with hieroglyphs is that of Theodosius, coming from the great temple of Karnak in Egypt; erected here in 390, it arrived broken, having lost about ten metres of its initial height. The other, called the walled obelisk, was built on the spot.

What to see

Here you walk through the former arena of the chariot races of Constantinople, begun by Septimius Severus and completed under Constantine, today the Sultan-Ahmet square; there subsist two obelisks, including that of Theodosius come from Karnak, and a piece of twisted bronze column. The hippodrome is a major vestige of Roman Istanbul. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The hippodrome of Constantinople corresponds to the current Sultan-Ahmet square, between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, reachable on foot. It is a square in free access, where you admire the obelisks and the twisted column. You discover it during a walk in the district.

What remains of the hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul?

On the current Sultan-Ahmet square subsist three elements of the former arena of the chariot races: the obelisk of Theodosius, covered with hieroglyphs and come from the temple of Karnak in Egypt, erected here in 390; the obelisk called walled, built on the spot; and a piece of twisted bronze column, vestiges of the splendour willed by Constantine for his capital.

Where is the hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul?

On the current Sultan-Ahmet square, between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, in Turkey.