Hippodrome | Jerash

Information

Landmark: Hippodrome
City: Jerash
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Hippodrome, Jerash, Jordan, Asia

The Hippodrome of Constantinople, currently known as Sultanahmet Square, is a historic sporting and social center located in Istanbul, Turkey. It served as the primary venue for chariot racing and political gatherings during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras.

Visual Characteristics

The site is a long, U-shaped open-air plaza measuring approximately 450 meters in length and 130 meters in width. While most of the original tiered seating and the spina (central barrier) are gone, the square retains three monumental artifacts: the Egyptian Obelisk of Theodosius (red granite), the bronze Serpentine Column, and the masonry Walled Obelisk. The southern curved end, known as the sphendone, is still visible as a massive brick-and-stone supporting substructure.

Location & Access Logistics

The Hippodrome is situated in the Sultanahmet district of the Fatih municipality. It is directly accessible via the T1 tram line at the Sultanahmet station, located 100 meters to the north. From the Asian side of the city, visitors can take the Marmaray rail to Sirkeci and walk 1 kilometer uphill. Vehicle access is restricted as the area is a pedestrian zone; the nearest public parking is located near the Blue Mosque or in private lots in the Cankurtaran neighborhood.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Originally constructed by Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 AD, the Hippodrome was significantly expanded by Constantine the Great in 324 AD to accommodate 100,000 spectators. It was built on a natural slope toward the Sea of Marmara, requiring the construction of the massive sphendone arches to level the ground. The site is situated on the historic "First Hill" of the city’s peninsula.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can walk the perimeter of the ancient race track and inspect the hieroglyphs on the Obelisk of Theodosius, which dates to 1479 BC. The German Fountain, a Neo-Byzantine gazebo gifted in 1900, sits at the northern entrance. Exploring the subterranean vaults of the sphendone is possible through the entrance located near the Marmara University rectorate building during specific hours.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The square is a paved public park with multiple benches and municipal lighting. Public restrooms are located at both the northern and southern ends of the plaza, including facilities managed by the Blue Mosque. 5G cellular coverage is excellent. Numerous kiosks selling street food (simit and roasted chestnuts) and ATMs are positioned along the western edge.

Best Time to Visit

Photography of the monuments is best during the early morning (07:00–09:00) to avoid large tour groups and to capture the sun hitting the granite obelisk. During the month of Ramadan, the square becomes a focal point for evening festivities and communal meals after sunset. The site is open 24 hours a day with no admission fee.

Facts & Legends

The Hippodrome was the starting point of the Nika Riots in 532 AD, a massive uprising that nearly toppled Emperor Justinian I and resulted in the deaths of 30,000 people. A local "secret" is the bronze Serpentine Column; it was originally dedicated to Apollo at Delphi to celebrate the Greek victory over the Persians at Plataea in 479 BC and was moved to Constantinople by Constantine. The heads of the three serpents were intact until the late 17th century; one remains today in the Istanbul Archaeology Museums.