The Hippodrome is a place you will almost certainly pass through - and you may not even realise you are standing on one of the most important sites in ancient Istanbul.

Today it looks like an ordinary square, but it was actually the centre of the Byzantine Empire.

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The remains of the ancient stadium now lie in Sultan Ahmet Square. So a quick tour of the Hippodrome is ideal to combine with a visit to Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque, for example, which are nearby.

The ruins of the former Hippodrome

Nowadays, there are only a few ruins in the square, which are reminders of the past glory of the magnificent stadium where many social events were held. Be sure to check out these places on the square:

• The Egyptian Obelisk - Originally from Luxor, Egypt, the obelisk was moved to the city of Constantinople by Emperor Constantine.
• Serpent Column - A column from Delphi that was formerly decorated with snake heads, one of which is now in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
• Column of Constantine VII - A brick obelisk, but the most ruined of all the monuments in the square.

What to remember

This is the type of place where:

• most of the history is not visible
• the original stadium no longer exists
• only fragments remain

If you are expecting "ruins", you will be disappointed.

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