A Monument to History – The Hippodrome

Sultanahmet is one of the most historic parts of any city in the world, and a visit here will show you some of the most ancient and wondrous sites around. When you’re visiting Istanbul, it would be a crime not to head here, not only for the beauty and opulence of the buildings, such as the Blue Mosque, but also the history which echos around every corner. From Hagia Sofia to the Grand Bazaar, there is a nod to history no matter where you turn.

Right next to the Blue Mosque you will find the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Again, this is monument and site of history that should not be missed.

What is the Hippodrome?

During the Roman Empire, from 203 – 330 CE, right up until the end of the Ottoman Empire’s rule, in 1922, the Hippodrome was in use, for various different requirements. These range between gladiator fights to chariot races, protests, celebrations, and also for torturing of those suspected of committing crimes.

The history of the Hippodrome is perhaps more more fascinating than anywhere else, because it spans across such a huge amount of time. During 203 CE, when Septimius Severus of the Roman Empire conquered Istanbul, then called Byzantion, he renamed it August Antonina, and built the Hippodrome during this time. As time went on, towards 330 CE, Constantine I decided that Istanbul would become the capital of the Byzantine Empire, and this when the famous Constantinople name came about. The hippodrome was then rebuilt and made much larger. This was all part of the Great Palace of Constantinople, which actually sits underneath what is now the Blue Mosque.

At this time, the Hippodrome could accommodate around 40,000 people, and only men could enter it. There were around eight different events taking place every single day, and this was a place of entertainment and mingling for those in power. As time went on, the Hippodrome began to feature decoration from across the entire Byzantine Empire, including the Obelisk of Thutmosis III, relocated from Egypt. This was a show of power by those in charge, and strengthened the Empire’s grip on the region at the time.

Of course, Istanbul has changed hands several times throughout history, and as the Ottomans steam rolled in and took charge, the Hippodrome was passed over to their possession. Rather than knocking it down, the Ottomans kept the Hippodrome and decided to use it as a gathering place, a square. The scale of the area was lessened as nearby buildings were constructed, most notable the Blue Mosque, during the 17th century. As time went on, there was little need for the Hippodrome, and it was instead, destroyed. Today, the area is used as Sultanahmet Square, and the original dimensions of the Hippodrome have been kept in place. The Obelisk of Theodosius sits proudly within the square, and it is one of only 29 Egyptian obelisks on the planet.

Despite the fact that the original building is no longer in place, the history of the area still whispers around you. The obelisk is in fantastic condition and soars high into the sky. This is a certain photo moment you need in your Istanbul collection. In addition, learning about the chariot races and gladiator fights that occurred here as far back as the Roman Empire is really interesting, and shows you that Istanbul really has gone through some extreme changes as it passed from Empire to Empire, through the years.

How to Get to The Hippodrome

It could not be easier to visit the Hippodrome, as if you’re staying in Sultanahmet, you simply need to walk to the Blue Mosque, and you’ll find the Hippodrome right next to it. If you’re staying anywhere else, simply follow public transport for Sultanahmet. You have several choices, including buses, trams, and taxis. Of course, you could walk too, as on a sunny day the area is a wonderful spot for wandering around and taking in your surroundings.

There are countless other areas of interest around the Hippodrome, so be sure to make your day visiting here a packed one! You can easily fit in a visit to the Blue Mosque (remember that mosque is closed to the public during prayer times, as it is a functioning mosque), Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Sultanahmet overall is a top spot to visit, and there is so much to see around the historic quarter that you should dedicate more than one day to exploring.