Photos of the Obelisk of Constantine
Obelisk of Constantine
Obelisk of Constantine in Istanbul, Turkey
The Obelisk of Constantine, or the Walled Obelisk (Tur. Örme Dikilitaş), stands on Sultanahmet Square in the historic centre of Istanbul, on the site of the ancient Constantinople hippodrome. This stone monument, made of neatly laid blocks, is a surviving element of the city's axis along which chariot races were held.
The obelisk is one of three monuments built along the hippodrome axis, next to the Serpent Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius. Today its height is about 32 m, and its austere silhouette is clearly visible from different points around the square.
In the 10th century Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos restored the obelisk, clad it with gilded bronze plates and topped the summit with a sphere. During the sack of Constantinople in 1204 the cladding was lost, leaving the monument as a stone core. It also suffered damage during the Ottoman period.
The monument is outdoors, free and open round-the-clock. The Obelisk of Constantine was depicted on the reverse of Turkish 500-lira banknotes from 1953 to 1976.
Show More
Show Less
The Obelisk of Constantine, or the Walled Obelisk (Tur. Örme Dikilitaş), stands on Sultanahmet Square in the historic centre of Istanbul, on the site of the ancient Constantinople hippodrome. This stone monument, made of neatly laid blocks, is a surviving element of the city's axis along which chariot races were held.
The obelisk is one of three monuments built along the hippodrome axis, next to the Serpent Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius. Today its height is about 32 m, and its austere silhouette is clearly visible from different points around the square.
In the 10th century Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos restored the obelisk, clad it with gilded bronze plates and topped the summit with a sphere. During the sack of Constantinople in 1204 the cladding was lost, leaving the monument as a stone core. It also suffered damage during the Ottoman period.
The monument is outdoors, free and open round-the-clock. The Obelisk of Constantine was depicted on the reverse of Turkish 500-lira banknotes from 1953 to 1976.
Examine the masonry joints and traces of the bronze cladding.
Masonry and traces of bronze plates: what to look for at the Obelisk of Constantine
Get close to study the details: the joints in the blocks and the attachment marks of the removed bronze plates are clearly visible. Unlike the neighboring granite Obelisk of Theodosius with its reliefs, the Walled Obelisk is a bare stone core without decorative images.
The best way to view the monument is to walk along the hippodrome axis from the Obelisk of Theodosius toward the Serpent Column. This shows how the three monuments form the historical line of the square. Do not confuse the Walled Obelisk with the brighter granite obelisk nearby - it has a different shape, material and finish.
Nearby are the German Fountain at the northern end of the square, the Sultanahmet Mosque, the Hagia Sophia and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - convenient to combine into a single route. How to get there: tram T1 to the Sultanahmet stop, then about a 3-minute walk following signs to the square.
Popular Tours
Best tours and travel experiences across the continent
Guided tours, popular attractions, and top-rated hotels across the continent
