Maps • Istanbul • Landmarks, attractions

Column of Constantine

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Istanbul, Fatih, Yenicheriler Avenue, 2/1

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Istanbul, Fatih, Yenicheriler Avenue, 2/1
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Panorama
Rating 5.0
237 ratings
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Level 21 Local Expert
March 11
An outwardly unremarkable fragment of antiquity: it's scary to even imagine how much this column has survived. The Column of Constantine, also known as the Porphyry Column or Conchesme. This is an ancient monument of the Byzantine era, which was erected in honor of Emperor Constantine the Great in the IV century AD. The column was erected in 330 AD, when Constantine the Great proclaimed Byzantium the new capital of the Roman Empire, renaming the city Constantinople. This monument symbolized the greatness of the new city and the power of the emperor. Initially, the column was decorated with a statue of Constantine himself, depicted as Apollo holding the globe. The statue was destroyed. The column is made of porphyry, a rare purple stone that was used in Roman and Byzantine times to build important structures. Its height was about 50 meters, but now it is only 35 meters. There are several legends associated with the column. According to one of them, sacred relics such as parts of the Holy Cross and nails with which Jesus Christ was crucified were kept inside the column. Another legend says that if a person walks around the column three times counterclockwise, then his wish will come true. Istanbul's main attractions are nearby: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Cistern Basilica…
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Level 10 Local Expert
April 27
Column of Constantine on Hippodrome Square. It was built at the behest of Emperor Constantine VII, who had the nickname Porphyrogennet (Porphyrogenitus), in honor of the memory of his grandfather Emperor Basil I. It stood in the very center of the Hippodrome and was originally covered with copper. In 1204, after the Crusaders invaded and created the Latin Empire, the copper coating of the column was destroyed, and coins were minted from it. In 1894, Constantine's column was severely damaged by an earthquake.
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Level 17 Local Expert
May 17
The Girdled Column, also known as the Roman Triumphal Column, was installed in 328 in the Forum of Constantine, opened on the day of the foundation of Constantinople in 330. It is located on Chermberlitash Square, near the entrance to the Grand Bazaar and the Gazi Atik Ali Pasha Mosque.
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