The Knitted Column, which is 32 meters high, was made in a form that tapers towards the top. Normally, there was an obelisk in the middle of the hippodromes built during the Roman period. However, similar to the Circus Maximus hippodrome in Rome, which has two obelisks, a second obelisk was erected at the hippodrome in Istanbul to glorify the city.
It is unknown who erected the Knitted Column, which is thought to have been erected in the fourth century AD. The inscription on the marble pedestal under the column facing the Blue Mosque reads, "This high four-faced monument, eroded over time, was transformed into a better form than we saw before by Emperor Constantine, the pride of the Empire." Colossus of Rhodes surprised; This bronze-covered column aroused admiration.”
From this information, the column was built by Constantine VII. It is understood that it was repaired during the time of Porpyrogennetos (913-959). During this repair, the body of the Knitted Column and three sides of its footing were decorated with gilded bronze plates. During the crusades in 1204, people from Western Europe plundered the city and took away the brass around the column, thinking they were gold.
One of the sights of Istanbul. It is worth a visit if you are interested in the preserved artifacts of Byzantium. As well as the Gothic Column, the most ancient artifact of Byzantium in the territory of modern Istanbul. Yes, a lot of things...
My favorite place in Istanbul! I always admire this view when I return in the evening by ferry. At night, in the light of the lights, it is especially beautiful!