Sultanahmet Square & Hippodrome of Constantinople

Sultanahmet Square and the Hippodrome of Constantinople are among the most important historical landmarks in Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula.

Quick Facts

Location: Sultanahmet, Istanbul
Historic period: Byzantine & Ottoman
Known for: Hippodrome monuments
Nearby landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern , Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque
Famous monuments: Egyptian Obelisk, Walled Obelisk , German  Fountain,Serpent Column

Square in the south of Hagia Sophia was called Augusteion in the Byzantine period. There was the statue of Helena,mother of Constantine the Great, on a great column in the middle of the square. It was the most important square of the city besides the Forum Constantine. In the southeast of the square there was Khalke Entrance, the entrance of the Grand Palace and around the square baths and palaces of important peoples were aligned.

The Hippodrome in the north of Blue Mosque was the most magnificent and active square of Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The Hippodrome had a rectangular plan with a southern edge rounded, and was a horse car racing area allowing 30-40 thousand people to watch.Racing cars were rounding Spina,the wall in the center. Only three of the monuments on Spina do extant.These are; Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk.

The Hippodrome’s name was changed to Horse Square (Atmeydani) during the Ottoman era. Beside palace weddings, big ceremonies and javelin games,riots were experienced in this square.

Historical Monuments of the Hippodrome

Today, visitors walking through Sultanahmet Square can still see several important monuments that once decorated the spine (Spina) of the ancient Hippodrome. The most famous of these is the Egyptian Obelisk, originally erected in the Temple of Karnak in Luxor during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III and later brought to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius I in the 4th century. Another remarkable monument is the Serpent Column, which was originally created in Delphi to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Plataea.

The third surviving monument is the Walled Obelisk, a large stone structure that once stood covered with bronze plates. Although those plates were removed during the Crusades, the monument still stands as an impressive reminder of the square’s historical significance.

Sultanahmet Square Today

Today, Sultanahmet Square remains one of the most visited historical areas in Istanbul. Surrounded by iconic landmarks such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Basilica Cistern, the square attracts millions of visitors each year. What was once the center of imperial ceremonies and chariot races has now become a lively gathering place where travelers can experience the layered history of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul.

Walking through Sultanahmet Square allows visitors to step directly into the heart of the city’s past, where ancient monuments, grand mosques, and historic palaces stand side by side.