In Sultanahmet Square, you will stand in the middle of history! From time immemorial, people’s voices roared with glee in this square!
To get to know the heart of Istanbul’s history, just take a walk with us slowly in this square, and follow us until the end of the article.
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Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul
Sultanahmet Square, known as Hippodrome Square, overlooks the famous Blue Mosque, and is surrounded by other famous places.
In addition to the presence of many different museums such as the Museum of Turkish Islamic Art.
Sultanahmet district is one of the most famous tourist areas in Istanbul, and it is also a popular place to start tourist trips due to the perfect beauty and size of this square.
This square is a very impressive tourist area in Sultanahmet district, similar to the historical peninsula that leads to all the historical sites around it.
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Sultanahmet Square is one of the most popular places for all the tourists, you usually find most enthusiastic tourists in this square on the first day of their visit to Istanbul.
Due to the fact that this square has turned into a no-vehicle area, tourists can walk in this square for a few hours, and visit Topkapi Palace, the German Fountain, the beautiful Hagia Sophia, the small bazaar near Sultanahmet and the colorful houses with great views in complete comfort.
Beautiful trees, ponds, fountains and vibrant greenery around the square would be perfect for taking some photographs, as Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque would be all smiling in the background. (Best photobomb ever)
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History of Hippodrome Square
This square was once the most famous and busiest place in the Eastern Roman Empire, hosting many famous historical sites as well as many events and adventures.
The Egyptian Stone Column, Snake Column, German Fountain and many more were among the most crowded places, which we eagerly visit today.
The Hippodrome was built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century after the official proclamation of Istanbul as the capital of Eastern Rome, and this is exactly what we call today Sultanahmet Square.
The Hippodrome was an equestrian venue during the Roman Empire, where contestants ran around the racetrack seven times to win the race, and people watched the performances with excitement.
Things to do in Sultanahmet Square
Walk around Sultanahmet Square, I promise it will be one of the most beautiful moments of your life.
Enjoy the historical atmosphere that includes the most prominent places, museums, mosques, churches, fountains and historical sites in Istanbul all together.
Then relax in one of the restaurants and cafes around the square, and enjoy a cup of tea or Turkish coffee while watching these great historical places.
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The most important places to visit
- Egyptian Stone Pillar.
- Hagia Sophia.
- Topkapi Palace.
- Serpent Pillar.
- German Fountain.
- Istanbul Archaeological Museum.
- Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts.
- The blue Mosque.
The Egyptian stone column
The obelisk or stone pillar that was brought from Egypt in 390 is one of the mysteries of history, and archaeologists have not been able to discover and read the mystery of the tablets written on these pillars.
Some of these obelisks are spread all over the world. From Argentina to Italy and even Sultanahmet Square!
This stone pillar dates back to 1450 BC by the Egyptian pharaoh.
If you visit this column, know that you are standing in front of one of the oldest places in Istanbul.
The monument stands on a marble pillar and depicts the Byzantine emperor, who used to watch matches around it.
Nowadays, tourists with this obelisk take funny pictures like pushing the pillar or leaning on it and then smiling at the camera! (Yep, everyone does that)
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Istanbul Archaeological Museum
Istanbul Archaeological Museum has an important collection of prehistoric artifacts from Greece, Rome and Byzantium, which are very beautifully displayed.
The entire collection has been transferred from Topkapi Palace to the Museum.
After visiting the museum, take time to walk in Gulhane Park, which was once a garden for the Ottoman kings.
The garden extends over wide green areas, decorated with flowers, tulips and tall trees.
Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)
The Blue Mosque is one of the most important mosques and tourist attractions in Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul.
This mosque was built in the seventeenth century between 1603-1617 by Sultan Ahmed I.
The name of this mosque is derived from the beautiful and eye-catching Iznik tiles used in its interior design.
This mosque is a fine example of Islamic architecture and one of the most visited places in Istanbul.
When you go to this mosque, remember to wear appropriate clothes, so that you do not have to use the general covering of the mosque.
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Serpent Column
One of the most unusual buildings in Istanbul, this column was brought to Istanbul from Delphi, Greece.
And this spiral column was made from melting military equipment of the enemy army as a sign of the victory of Greece over the Persians.
After the victory in this war, this pillar was presented as a gift to the Delphi Apollo Monument to show their gratitude for this place.
On this blue pillar you will see three intertwined snakes with their heads cut off.
The only surviving snake head is on display in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, which is located just a few steps from the Sultanahmet Square, do not forget to visit it while you are there.
Hagia Sophia
Known as one of the best architectural examples in the world, the Hagia Sophia will undoubtedly amaze you both from the outside and inside.
According to the Turks, it is the eighth wonder of the world, although this claim is a little exaggerated.
In fact, this building was a nickname in the Roman era, as it was at that time the largest church in the world.
And then it was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans entered, and when the Republic of Turkey was declared, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum for many years by order of Ataturk.
Currently, Hagia Sophia has been converted into a mosque after a new law from the Turkish government, which means a free visit for tourists!
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Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is one of the biggest and most famous tourist attractions in Istanbul, this building was built between 1466 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II.
The palace was considered the political center of the Ottoman Empire from the fifteenth to the nineteenth centuries, and it continued in this state until the construction of Dolmabahce Palace.
You can enjoy a charming view of the Bosphorus and the Asian side of Istanbul from the beautiful balconies of the palace.
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts displays one of the most important Turkish and Islamic art collections in the world.
These holdings belong to the Umayyad, Abbasid, Mamluk, Seljuk and Ottoman eras and include rare artifacts such as stone, ceramics, metal, silver, copper and wood, as well as jewelry, manuscripts, calligraphy, carpets and many more…
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German Fountain
The German Fountain is located between Sultanahmet Square and the Blue Mosque.
It is a very beautiful fountain with great architecture, with beautiful columns and domes.
Do not forget to see it during your visit to Istanbul.
Tips for a pleasant visit:
- Official guide can make Sultanahmet Square more beautiful for you. Get help from them and know the exact date and details of each building. But beware of unofficial guides, the guide should have an official logo.
- Take good care of your bags and pockets, as this place is always crowded.
