Hippodrome / At Meydanı
Byzantium's chariot-racing arena for 100,000 — the greatest sporting ground of its age.
From Meşale Restaurant & Cafe to Hippodrome / At Meydanı
Why visit?
The square you walk across today is really the roof of a 2,000-year-old arena. Follow the line of the three monuments and you are walking the spina of Byzantium.
Short History
Begun in AD 203 by Septimius Severus, the hippodrome was rebuilt and enlarged by Constantine I in AD 330. In the Byzantine era it was the stage for political events such as the Nika Riots of 532. Chariot racing ended under the Ottomans, but the square remained the heart of the city.
About
Built in the Roman period, the Hippodrome was the largest sporting and social space of the Byzantine Empire. With a capacity of around 100,000, it hosted chariot races, ceremonies and political gatherings. The area known today as Sultanahmet Square is what remains of it. Three ancient monuments — the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk — still stand along the hippodrome's central spina.
The real remains of the hippodrome lie underground. If you visit the Basilica Cistern, you will understand from there how the cistern relates to the hippodrome. As you cross the square, feel the history beneath the paving stones.
What to know before visiting
Photo spots
Along the line of the spina
Photograph the three monuments one after another
The Obelisk and the Blue Mosque
A shot with the mosque in the background
How to get here from Meşale
From Meşale 250 m (4 minutes)
T1 tram — Sultanahmet stop
No parking. Reached on foot.
Your map app calculates the time from live traffic, so we don't print a fixed figure here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Today's Sultanahmet Square sits on the remains of the Byzantine hippodrome. Three monuments (the Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the Walled Obelisk) stand in a line along the spina.
Visit Information
- From Meşale
- 4 min (250 m)
- Visit duration
- 20–30 min
- Hours
- Open space — accessible 24/7
- Ticket
- Free (open space)
- Best time
- Early morning or evening
- Busy
- High
- Accessible
- Yes
- Family Friendly
- Yes
Highlights
- Arena for 100,000
- Monuments of the spina
- The Nika Riots
- Roman heritage
Tags
Nearby places
Source & Freshness
- Last checked:
- September 4, 2026
Hours and prices are for guidance only. Please confirm with an official source before your visit.