Audio GuideSultanahmet Square

Sultanahmet Square lies at the very heart of historic Istanbul, alive with echoes of centuries past. As you stroll along its broad, tree-lined avenues, you are walking on ground that was once the ancient Hippodrome. For almost two thousand years, this space has hosted Roman chariot races, Byzantine revolts, lavish Ottoman festivities, and today, the daily bustle of residents and visitors from around the world.

Ank Kumar

Long ago, the Hippodrome would draw enormous crowds. Its sweeping ‘U’ shape was designed for excitement and drama—charioteers hurtled around the track to shouts from the stands, while emperors looked on from grand pavilions. These races were far more than mere entertainment; they inspired fierce loyalties and could even spark unrest, as seen in the devastating Nika riot that shook the city's very foundations.

Ahmet poçanoğlu

Traces of those glorious days remain. At the centre of the square, you will find the Obelisk of Theodosius—a piece of rose granite inscribed with ancient hieroglyphs and older than the city itself. Nearby stands the Walled Obelisk, its stonework once covered in shimmering bronze. The coiling Serpent Column rises from the ground, brought from Greece to commemorate a long-ago victory.

Dmytro Korenchuk

Seek out the German Fountain, with its domed roof and gleaming gold mosaics—a gift from the German Emperor in the early twentieth century, reflecting Istanbul’s European connections. All around you are some of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks, including the Blue Mosque’s elegant domes, the striking silhouette of Hagia Sophia, and the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts, each reflecting the city’s richly layered history.

Vedant Chavan

Beneath these stones lie ancient cisterns such as the Yerebatan Sarnıcı and the Binbirdirek Sarnıcı—once reservoirs for emperors, now venues for art and culture, reminders that the city is always changing and reinventing itself. Sultanahmet Square, with its storied monuments and vibrant crowds, endures as a living stage for celebration, conversation, and the ever-evolving spirit of Istanbul.

Ilya Malkin