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HIPODROME

In heart of old city, in front of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
After the Emperor Septimius Severus rebuilt the city and expanded its walls, endowing it with a hippodrome, an arena for chariot races and other entertainment, in AD 324, the Emperor Constantine the Great decided to move the seat of the government from Rome to Byzantium, which he renamed Nova Roma (New Rome). This name failed to impress and the city soon became to be known as Constantinople, meaning the City of Constantine. Constantine greatly enlarged the city, and one of his major undertakings was the renovation of the Hippodrome. It is estimated that the Hippodrome of Constantine was about 450 m (1,476 ft) long and 130 m (427 ft) wide. Its stands were capable of holding 100,000 spectators.

Throughout the Byzantine period, the Hippodrome was the centre of the city's social life. Huge amounts were bet on chariot races, and initially four teams took part in these races, each one financially sponsored and supported by a different political party.

During Ottoman era, the Hippodrome was used for various occasions such as the lavish and days-long circumcision ceremonies and other events and celebrations.

Today it is heart of the historical center of city with three original monuments left from the original Hippodrome such as the Egyptian(Obelisk of Theodosius), the Serpentine Column and Bronze Column (Constantine Column)

Practical Information
* Couple of meters away from Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque) tram stop.
*Open air area without an entrance and the fee

Book the tour for HIPODROME

 
 
ok BASILICA CISTERN ok DOLMABAHCE PALACE ok SPICE BAZAAR
ok BLUE MOSQUE ok EMINONU SQUARE ok SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
ok BOSPHORUS ok GALATA TOWER ok PRINCES ISLAND
ok CAMLICA HILL ok GRAND BAAZAR ok TOPKAPI PALACE
ok CHORA MUSEUM ok HAGIA SOPHIA ok WOODEN SUMMER HOUSES
ok ANADOLU KAVAGI ok BEYLERBEYI PALACE ok LITTLE HAGIA SOPHIA
ok PAMMAKARISTOS CHURCH ok POYRAZKOY ok RUMELI FORTRESS
ok HIPODROME ok GOLDEN HORN and PIERRE LOTI HILL ok ORTAKOY
ok MAIDEN TOWER ok TAKSIM SQUARE & ISTIKLAL STREET  
 
 
 
HIPODROME
HIPODROME
HIPODROME
 
daily istanbul tours
Historical Treasuries
Hippodrome
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Grand Bazaar
Topkapı Palace
Little Hagia Sophia Mosque
 
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Highlights of Istanbul
Cruise tour with private boat in Golden Horn and Bosporus
Drive along the Golden Horn to Pierre Loti Hill
Short cable car experience
Dolmabahçe Palace
Drive over the Bosporus Bridge
Step to the Asian part, the highest point in the city with full view of Istanbul
 
Cruise in Bosporus
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Cruise in Bosphorus, passing under two Bosporus Bridges
See both sides of the city (Asia and Europe) from the sea
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Have a small break in a nice suburb of Asian side called Kanlica
 
Bosporus and Black Sea Cruise
Cruise in the Bosphorus and the Black Sea coast
Drive from the old city to the pier of Kabatas to start the cruise
Stop in Ortakoy to visit the district and feel its cosmopolitan ambience
Cross to the Asian side of the city to visit the summer palace called "Beylerbeyi"
The fortress of Europe
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Prince’s Islands Tour
Princes' Islands Tour
Sail from the city to the Sea of Marmara
Visit to Kinali and Heybeli Islands
Have a stop in Buyukada (Great Island)
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