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This massive arena, the built-in Byzantine Era, has become one of the most visited attractions through its remarkable historical texture. Today, this stadium of ancient Byzantine, Sultan Ahmet Meydanı, welcomed various civilizations during the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods.
With its fruitful multicultural history, the Hippodrome allows you to experience the past. That's why you should discover it at every step. Istanbul Tourist Pass guides will provide you with a well-organized guiding tour to support your trip to such an enchanting historical site. When visiting the Byzantine Hippodrome, the Istanbul Tourist Pass® capable and well-informed guides will take you back in time!
Mobile ticketing - No need for printed voucher, we're digital!
Duration - 15 Minutes Check Time table to see starting times
Instant confirmation - The tour doesn't require a reservation in advance.
Guide - English
Highlights
Discover Byzantine Hippodrome with a local guide
Learn More About Byzantine Hippodrome stories and legends!
Includes
An amazing guided tour of Byzantine Hippodrome
Professional English-speaking tour guide
The Byzantine Hippodrome has had a fruitful history throughout the centuries. With its delicate and sensational historical riches, the Hippodrome has become one of the most well-known attractions in Istanbul. Thanks to its mysterious multicultural background, most people from different cultures are excited to travel through time in the Hippodrome.
The Hippodrome takes place in the heart of Istanbul and welcomes its visitors accompanied by several architectural artifacts. The name of the hippodrome comes from Greek; hippo (horse) and dromos (path or way). This ancient site in Sultanahmet Square was for chariot and horse races in the Byzantine era. However, this open-air circus also became a home to celebrations, gladiatorial games, torture stages for the inmates, and protests. Hippodromes were common structures in the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
Once the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus conquered Constantinopolis, he built many featured structures. One of them was the Hippodrome, and this beautifully designed area became the most significant gathering point on many occasions. At first, the Byzantine Hippodrome was very small, but then Constantine the Great enlarged and renovated this arena. He also declared the city the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Hippodrome Byzantine, Hippodrome Byzantine Empire, Byzantine Hippodrome Istanbul, Byzantine Empire Hippodrome of Constantinople, Byzantium Hippodrome, Roman Hippodrome Istanbul, the Roman Hippodrome, Western Roman Empire.
The Hippodrome was the symbol of power for the Byzantine Empire. Several featured objects were brought in to show the empire's strength to the world. Luckily, two of these monuments have successfully survived, the Serpent Column from Delfi and the Egyptian obelisk named Obelisk of Thutmosis III.
The Hippodrome was also important in the Ottoman era. In the Ottoman period, the hippodrome was not used for its intended purposes. It was mainly used as a square, and they named this historically enriched area "At Meydanı" (Horse Square).
During the Ottoman era, the Hippodrome was also a gathering point for civilians. The Ottoman sultans paid attention to the crowd gathering whenever it happened. The crowd could have signaled the disturbances or riots.
The Byzantine Hippodrome experienced a bit of destruction in the Ottoman period. The construction of the Blue Mosque and İbrahim Paşa Palace caused damage to the place.
To joins this amazing guided tour and many more others, Buy Your Pass Now!
Mondays: NO TOUR
Tuesdays: NO TOUR
Wednesday: NO TOUR
Thurdays to Sundays: 10:00 (This tour combined withTurkish & Islamic Arts Tour)
The approximate duration is 10 minutes
Please meet your guide at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour start time.
Click for Meeting Point's Picture.
View TimetableThe tour starts at the main bus stop for BUSFORUS ISTANBUL at Sultanahmet Square. Look out for the red double-decker buses. It's about 20 metres (65 ft) in front of the Hagia Sophia Museum.
To get to Sultanahmet Square, take the T1 Bağılar - Kabataş tram and get off at Sultanahmet station. Walk towards Hagia Sophia and keep an eye out for the Big Bus stop.
Our guides carry a white flag with Istanbul Tourist Pass logo.
The guided tours are performed in English.
The tour starts at the main bus stop for BUSFORUS ISTANBUL at Sultanahmet Square. Click "Get Directions" above to find the location on Google Maps.
The tour doesn't require a reservation in advance.
Children will be asked to present their passport at the entrance to confirm their age.
By having the Istanbul Tourist Pass®, you can visit more than 85+ attractions in Istanbul. You can save huge amount of time and money by not waiting in the long queues or paying fees at the entrances of the museums or for other facilities and activities. You can buy the Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 10 days. So many attractions are available with Istanbul Tourist Pass®️ such as Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, Sapanca Lake daily tour, Dinner on the Bosphorus, Istanbul Airport Shuttle etc. included in the pass. For more details and updated attractions available with the pass can be found on website.
The Byzantine Hippodrome is an open-air green garden with no entry ticket requirement. However, since it has an enriched history back in time, it would be better for you to enjoy this historical place with a well-organized guiding tour.
You can find detailed information about the tour times in the "Hours & Meeting" section. Please, meet your tour guide at the determined place 10 minutes before the tour begins.
You can find the meeting location in the "Hours & Meeting" section. Our guides carry a white flag with the logo of Istanbul Tourist Pass.
Since the hippodrome is the most popular area among tourists, you can find many accommodation options available for your budget.
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Even if its purposes have changed in time, this ancient arena has successfully stood still. As being located in the heart of Istanbul, it has been the host to several unique monuments and different civilizations throughout the years.