Column of Constantine: the monument raised for the founding of the city
- Monuments and historic landmarks
- Çemberlitaş, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Column of Constantine
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Column of Constantine: 9 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Column of Constantine: 10 min walk (710 m) Walking route
Visitor information
| Type | Roman monumental column |
|---|---|
| Built | 330 |
| Commissioned by / architect | Emperor Constantine I |
| Neighbourhood | Çemberlitaş, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Open-air site; can be seen at any time of day |
| Admission | Free (open-air site) |
| Time needed | 10–15 min |
| Getting there | T1 Çemberlitaş stop, 1 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 11 min walk (770 m) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller |
| Best time | On the way to the Grand Bazaar |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
The story of the column
Made of drums of purple porphyry brought from Egypt stacked on top of one another, the column rose in the middle of the Forum of Constantine on today’s Divanyolu. A statue at the top once showed Constantine in the guise of the sun god; it fell in a storm in 1106. The stones, cracked by fires and earthquakes, were reinforced with iron hoops in the 1700s, in the reign of Mustafa II. Because of the fire marks, European travellers called it the “Burnt Column”.
What is nearby?
Right next to the column is the Çemberlitaş Hamam, built by Mimar Sinan. A few steps away are the Nuruosmaniye Mosque and, reached through its courtyard, the Grand Bazaar. Walking along Divanyolu towards Sultanahmet, you also pass the Tomb of Mahmud II.
Visiting tips
- The column is right next to the tram stop; getting off here is the easiest way to reach the Grand Bazaar.
- Up close you can see the iron hoops between the stones and the old fire marks.
- Divanyolu has no car traffic but the tram runs along it; keep children away from the tracks.
Our family hotels near Column of Constantine
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Column of Constantine: 9 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Column of Constantine: 10 min walk (710 m) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Column of Constantine: 10 min walk (730 m) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Column of Constantine: 11 min walk (750 m) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
Frequently asked questions
Why is the column called Çemberlitaş?
The porphyry stones, cracked by fires and earthquakes, were bound with iron hoops in the 18th century. The name “Çemberlitaş” (hooped stone) comes from this, and it also became the name of the neighbourhood.
When was the Column of Constantine built?
The column was raised in 330, the year Emperor Constantine I declared the city his capital.
