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The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, was a grand public arena primarily used for chariot races. Beyond races, it served as a venue for gladiator games, imperial ceremonies, public protests, and executions during the Roman (203-330 CE), Byzantine (330-1453 CE), and Ottoman (1453-1922) periods.
Originally built by Roman Emperor Septimius Severus in 203 CE, the Hippodrome was later expanded by Constantine I when he established Constantinople as the Byzantine capital in 330 CE. Constantine enlarged the structure and connected it to the Great Palace of Constantinople, remnants of which can still be seen at the Museum of the Great Palace Mosaics.
With a seating capacity of approximately 40,000, the Hippodrome was a center of both entertainment and political power. It was adorned with monuments brought from across the empire, including the Serpent Column from Delphi and the Obelisk of Thutmosis III from Egypt, also known as the Obelisk of Theodosius. These monuments were a display of the Byzantine Empire’s vast reach and dominance.
Under Ottoman rule, the Hippodrome was renamed At Meydanı (Horse Square) but was no longer used as an arena. Instead, it became a public square. The construction of the İbrahim Paşa Palace, which now houses the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum, in the 16th century and the Blue Mosque in the 17th century caused significant damage to the site. By the 18th century, it had largely been abandoned.
Today, the Hippodrome is easily accessible from Sultanahmet Tram Station, just a two-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. It is surrounded by other significant historical sites, including Topkapi Palace, the Underground Cistern, and the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. As it is located in Istanbul’s most touristic district, visitors can find a range of accommodations nearby, with luxury and boutique hotels such as Four Seasons Sultanahmet, Ibrahim Pasha Hotel, and Armada Sultanahmet Old City.
References:Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.
The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.
Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.