Sultanahmet Square is the historic heart of Istanbul’s Old City and one of the most historically layered public spaces in the world. Known in antiquity as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, this grand arena once held up to 100,000 spectators for chariot races and public ceremonies during the height of the Byzantine Empire.
The square still preserves several remarkable monuments along the ancient spina, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, dating from 390 AD, the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, and the Column of Constantine. These ancient stones stand in quiet contrast to the towering domes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia that frame the square on either side.
Lively at all hours of the day, Sultanahmet Square is an ideal starting point for exploring the historic peninsula. Its open parkland, benches and central fountains make it a welcoming space to pause, take in the surroundings and absorb the extraordinary concentration of history all around.