The Hellenes and Romans often organised chariot races, so the Hippodrome was a characteristic feature of a large polis (city). In 203, Septimius Severus set about to rebuild the city he'd destroyed and the first thing he did was to begin the construction of the Hippodrome. Constantine I made the Hippodrome bigger and more more beautiful. During his reign, the Hippodrome was about 500 metres long. and 130 metres wide. The running tracks were U-shaped. They surrounded the grandstands for 40,000 spectators. The Emperor's luxurious box was located on the south-east side and connected to the palace.
For a long time, the Hippodrome was the centre of the social and sporting life of the capital of the Byzantine Empire. It was the centre of social and sporting life in the capital of the Byzantine Empire. wild animals, as well as performing artists, acrobats, musicians. and ceremonies. Gradually, the townspeople were divided into two teams of fans - "blue" and "green". These were the colours of the popular teams the popular racing teams wore. Often the clashes "were political, religious, riots, pogroms, riots, pogroms and bloody massacres. In one such major pogrom, in 532, a fire broke out, half the city burned down, killing around 30,000 people. The imperial residence was moved from the Great Palace and the Hippodrome began to collapse. the Hippodrome began to deteriorate. In 1204, the Fourth Crusade finally destroyed and sacked the Hippodrome. The Ottomans, who occupied Constantinople. were not keen on chariot racing, so they didn't rebuild the Hippodrome, which became a source of marble, columns and stone blocks for the construction.
After the Sultanahmed Mosque was built, the site of the former Hippodrome was called At Meydany (Horse Square). It was used for training horses and various mass events were held here. Today this square is called Sultanahmed Meydany (Sultanahmed Square). The paths of the Hippodrome were covered with with earth (4-5 metres thick) and a huge public garden was created.
From the Hippodrome only ruins of arches and fragments of walls have survived. Once the wall of the Hippodrome, which bears the name "Spina" was decorated with monuments, statues, obelisks, hourglasses and other trophies. The Egyptian obelisk has survived to this day. (20 metres high), the column of Constantine Porphyrogenetus (32 metres high) and the Serpent Column from the Temple of Apollo. There are also 4 bronze horses (4th century B.C.), which were preserved. BC), which were placed on the roof of the Hippodrome's starting rooms. В 1204 In 1204, the Crusaders stole the bronze horses and installed them on the façade of St Mark's Cathedral in Venice. St Mark's Cathedral in Venice. But in 1797, Napoleon conquered Italy and ordered the horses - the horses to be placed on the Arch of Carusel in Paris. And in 1815, the horses were brought back to Venice and today they are in the St Mark's Museum.
At the western end of the Hippodrome is the palace of Ibrahim Pasha (16th century). It is now home to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, which features ancient manuscripts, cowries, and a number of artworks. which exhibits ancient manuscripts, carpets, Iznik tiles, miniatures, and as well as ancient clothing.
