Egyptian Obelisk
A 3,500-year-old Egyptian obelisk — the oldest monument in Istanbul.
From Meşale Restaurant & Cafe to Egyptian Obelisk
Why visit?
The oldest monument in Istanbul — 3,500-year-old Egyptian granite on a Byzantine base. The reliefs on the base are fine examples of Byzantine art.
Short History
Moving the monument from Egypt to Constantinople was a major feat of engineering. The obelisk stood about 30 metres in its original form; its lower section was damaged in antiquity — sources say this probably happened during transport or re-erection. The reliefs on its base show Theodosius and his family watching the races in the hippodrome.
About
The Obelisk of Theodosius was raised at the Temple of Karnak in the 1450s BC by the pharaoh Thutmose III. In AD 390 the emperor Theodosius I brought it to Istanbul and set it on the spina of the hippodrome. Standing today at roughly 19.5 metres (25.6 metres including its base), the granite monument carries fine examples of Byzantine art in the marble reliefs of its pedestal.
There are reliefs on all four sides of the base — walk around it and look at each one. Every side shows a different scene.
What to know before visiting
No special notices.
Photo spots
Looking up from below
Catch the hieroglyphs cut into the granite
Reliefs on the base
Close-ups of the Byzantine reliefs
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
Yes — it was raised at the Temple of Karnak in the 1450s BC for the pharaoh Thutmose III. It was brought to Istanbul in AD 390.
Visit Information
- From Meşale
- 4 min (250 m)
- Visit duration
- 5–10 min
- Hours
- Open space — accessible 24/7
- Ticket
- Free
- Best time
- Any time
- Busy
- Variable
- Accessible
- Yes
- Family Friendly
- Yes
Highlights
- 3,500-year-old Egyptian granite
- Hieroglyphs
- Byzantine reliefs on the base
- The oldest monument
Tags
Source & Freshness
- Last checked:
- September 4, 2026
Hours and prices are for guidance only. Please confirm with an official source before your visit.