Hippodrome, today named the Sultanahmet Square, was historially a square for horse racing. The Hippodrome was built by the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus towards the end of the 2nd Century and it was extended to an immense size by Constantine the Great.
In Roman and Byzantine times, the Hippodrome served as the city's main meeting, entertainment and sports center until the 10th Century. Like many of the other monuments in the city, it lost its importance with the Latin invasion in 1204.
The original ground level of the Hippodrome was 4 or 5 meters lower than the present surface. Here are some of the monuments that have remained to our day:
In Roman and Byzantine times, the Hippodrome served as the city's main meeting, entertainment and sports center until the 10th Century. Like many of the other monuments in the city, it lost its importance with the Latin invasion in 1204.
The original ground level of the Hippodrome was 4 or 5 meters lower than the present surface. Here are some of the monuments that have remained to our day:
The Egyptian Obelisk, which is also known as the Obelisk of Theodosius, was first erected at the Temple of Karnak in Luxor during the reign of Tuthmosis III in about 1490 BC. It is one of the 26 known ancient Egyptian obelisks that remains. It was erected in its present location in 390.
Although Istanbul is hit by a 6.5+ scale earthquakes every 100 years or so, the Obelisk has remained intact throughout all those years. It is made from pink granite and it weights about 300 tonnes. It is around 20 m high.
The Walled Obelisk, also known as the Column of Constantine Porphyrogenitus. This obelisk was covered with embroidered copper and bronze plates, but were removed during the fourth Crusade to produce coins.
The Kaiser Wilheim, or German, Fountain. It was donated in 1900 to the Ottoman Empire by the German Emperor Wilhelm II after his visit to Istanbul in 1898.
There is also third column in the Hippodrome called the Serpentine Column. It is dated 479 BC. The original design shows the heads of three intertwined serpents used to form the legs of a gold cauldron.
The monument was created out of the bronze items captured during a victory against the Persians in the 5th Century and it originally stood before the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. It was brought to Istanbul in 324 by Constantine and erected in the middle of the Hippodrome. Unfortunately, the serpents' heads and the gold cauldron were broken off during transit so there is only a bronze column left. As per before, the photographer decided it is not an item of interest, so no photos. Sorry!
The monument was created out of the bronze items captured during a victory against the Persians in the 5th Century and it originally stood before the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. It was brought to Istanbul in 324 by Constantine and erected in the middle of the Hippodrome. Unfortunately, the serpents' heads and the gold cauldron were broken off during transit so there is only a bronze column left. As per before, the photographer decided it is not an item of interest, so no photos. Sorry!
<3 The photographer at work! <3
2 comments:
so many places you going to!!!! super admire!!!
anyway, whenever i see JK & SP in photo together, i keep thinking Valerie is taking photo for you!! haahaah....
hahaha. Valerie is a good photographer, isn't she? hahaha
Post a Comment