Sultanahmet Square (Hippodrome): the Obelisk, Serpent Column and German Fountain
- Monuments and historic landmarks
- Sultanahmet, Fatih
- Free
Family hotels closest to Sultanahmet Square
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 5 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 5 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Visitor information
| Type | Byzantine hippodrome, historic square |
|---|---|
| Built | Begun in 203, enlarged under Constantine in the 330s |
| Commissioned by / architect | Septimius Severus; Constantine I |
| Neighbourhood | Sultanahmet, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Open-air site; can be seen at any time of day |
| Admission | Free (open-air site) |
| Time needed | 30 min |
| Getting there | T1 Sultanahmet stop, 2 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 5 min walk (320 m) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Easy with a stroller. The square is flat and wide; the monuments are fenced off |
| Best time | Early in the morning or at sunset; the evening lighting is beautiful |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
A short history of the Hippodrome
Begun by the Roman emperor Septimius Severus in 203, the Hippodrome was enlarged in the 330s when Constantine made the city his capital, becoming a racecourse for about 100,000 people. Chariot races, ceremonies and imperial celebrations were held here. In 532 the Nika Revolt, started by racing fans, broke out here and much of the city, including Hagia Sophia, burned. In the Ottoman period it became At Meydanı, the square for festivals, weddings and ceremonies; today it takes its name from the neighbouring Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque).
The monuments on the square
- The Obelisk (Obelisk of Theodosius): The upper part of an obelisk erected by Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC for the Temple of Karnak in Egypt. Emperor Theodosius I raised it here in 390; the reliefs on its marble base show the emperor watching races in the Hippodrome.
- The Serpent Column: A bronze column made for the Temple of Apollo at Delphi to commemorate the victory of the Greek cities over the Persians at Plataea in 479 BC. Constantine brought it to Istanbul; its three serpent heads broke off over time, and part of one is in the Archaeology Museums.
- The Walled Obelisk: An obelisk built of cut stone, restored in the 10th century by Constantine VII; it was once covered with bronze plates.
- The German Fountain: A neo-Byzantine fountain with an octagonal dome, built to commemorate the German emperor Wilhelm II’s visit to Istanbul in 1898; it opened in 1901.
A suggested walk around the square
Start at the German Fountain at the northern end of the square and walk south towards the Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk. On the western edge of the square is the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, and on the eastern edge the Blue Mosque. During Ramadan, iftar tents and a book fair are set up on the square; in the evenings it is a lively meeting place for families.
Visiting tips
- Have children find the emperor’s box, where he watched the races, in the reliefs on the Obelisk’s base, like a puzzle.
- Under the evening lighting the square and the Blue Mosque look beautiful; ideal for a sunset walk.
- During Ramadan the square gets very crowded; go early to find a spot before iftar.
Our family hotels near Sultanahmet Square
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 5 min walk (time given by the hotel) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 5 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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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 8 min walk (570 m) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Sareban Hotel
Sultanahmet Square: 9 min walk (610 m) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
Frequently asked questions
Are the Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square the same place?
Yes. The Byzantine Hippodrome was called At Meydanı in the Ottoman period; today it is known as Sultanahmet Square.
How old is the Obelisk on Sultanahmet Square?
The Obelisk was made in Egypt for Pharaoh Thutmose III in the 15th century BC, so it is about 3,500 years old. It was raised in Istanbul in 390.
