Hippodrome and Obelisk

Hippodrome of Constantinople & Its Iconic Monuments

Location: Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul
A historic chariot-racing arena and social hub of Byzantine Constantinople. One of the most significant remnants of the Roman and Byzantine Empires in Istanbul

A Grand Arena of Power and Politics

• Originally built in the 2nd century AD by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus when Byzantium was still a Greek colony.
• Expanded by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century, turning it into the largest and most prestigious Hippodrome of the Roman Empire.
• Held over 100,000 spectators, serving as the heart of Byzantine political and social life.
• Center of chariot races, gladiator fights, imperial ceremonies, and public executions.
• A battleground for rival factions, mainly the Blues (Venetii) and the Greens (Prasinoi), whose conflicts often erupted into violent riots.

The Nika Revolt of 532 AD – A brutal uprising against Emperor Justinian I led to 30,000 deaths within the Hippodrome. Fell into decline after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and was largely dismantled. Today, the site is Sultanahmet Square, with the remains of several ancient monuments still standing.

The Surviving Monuments of the Hippodrome

Serpent Column (5th Century BC)

Originally erected in Delphi, Greece to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians. Brought to Constantinople by Emperor Constantine I. Once had three serpent heads—only fragments remain today, some housed in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.

Obelisk of Theodosius (15th Century BC)

Originally from Karnak Temple, Luxor (Egypt), built by Pharaoh Thutmose III. Transported to Constantinople in 390 AD by Emperor Theodosius I.
Stands 20 meters tall, made of pink granite, and inscribed with hieroglyphics. Remarkably well-preserved, unlike many other relics from the Hippodrome.

Walled Obelisk (10th Century AD)

Constructed by Emperor Constantine VII, originally covered in gilded bronze plaques. Looted by Crusaders in 1204 during the Fourth Crusade. Today, only the bare stone core remains.

Statues of Porphyrios (5th-6th Century AD)

Erected in honor of the legendary Byzantine charioteer, Porphyrios, who won races for both the Blues and the Greens. Only two bases of these statues survive, displayed in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.

Kaiser Wilhelm II Fountain (1898)

Gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II during his visit to the Ottoman Empire. An elegant Neo-Byzantine fountain with golden mosaics, built to symbolize German-Turkish friendship. Still functional today, standing at the northern entrance of the Hippodrome.

Why Visit the Hippodrome?

• Step into the site of thrilling chariot races and imperial spectacles.
• See some of the oldest and most significant monuments from Byzantine Constantinople.
• Explore Sultanahmet Square, where the city’s history comes alive.
• Combine your visit with nearby landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace.

Today, the Hippodrome’s original track is buried beneath Sultanahmet Square, but its monuments remain as testaments to the grandeur of the Byzantine Empire.