- On 21.11.2024
Istanbul Hippodrome
Hippodrome was built in 3rd century AD by the Byzantine Emperor Severus Septimus. Constantine the Great reconstructed, enlarged and adorned it with beautiful works which were brought from different places of the Roman Empire when he chose Byzantium as his new capital.
There were some gladiator wars and horse-racing at this hippodrome. Capacity was about 100.000 spectators and it is said that one quarter of the population could fit into the hippodrome at one time. Although there is not much left from the original building except the Serpentine Column, Egyptian Obelisk and Constantine Column.