Hippodrome Information
The Hippodrome served as an ancient racetrack where ancient chariot races and athletic competitions were held, and was centrally decorated with the Egyptian Obelisk and other famous columns...
HIPPODROME
The Hippodrome served as an ancient racetrack where ancient
chariot races, athletic competitions were held, and was centrally
decorated with the Egyptian Obelisk and other famous columns.
Its construction began in 203 by the Emperor Septimus Severus
and it was subsequently enlarged by Constantine the Great.
According to one estimation, it had a capacity of 100.000
people. After the Nika riots in 532, the chariot races lost
their importance and in 1204, during the fourth crusade, it
was greatly damaged. After the conquest of the city by the
Ottoman Turks in 1453, the area served as one for horse trading.
For that reason, the area is named At Meydani (horse square)
today.
There are three important monuments in the area:
1. The Egyptian Obelisk -
Built in the 16th century BC by the Pharaoh Tutmosis in Egypt.
It was brought to Istanbul by boat in the 4th century AD.
2. The Serpentine's Column -
Originally erected in the Temple of Delphi in Greece, but
taken to Istanbul. Until the 17th century there were three
bronze snake heads projecting from the column, but they have
since been lost. One can be seen in the archaeological museum.
3. The Column of Constantine -
Although it is believed that this dates from the 10th century,
evidence shows that it was built earlier than that. Until
1204, it was covered by bronze and silver. When the Crusaders
came to the area, they pulled off the bronze and silver, melted
them down and made coins out of them.
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