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All 362 Istanbul Attractions »

Hippodrome (Atmeydani)

between Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
Ranked #112 of 179 attractions in Istanbul
3.0 of 5 stars 30 Reviews
Type: Ancient Ruins
Activities: City walk sightseeing
Owner description: The ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine civic life, from political and theological controversies to chariot races and riots. Built in 203...... more » Owner description: The ancient Hippodrome was the center of Byzantine civic life, from political and theological controversies to chariot races and riots. Built in 203 by Emperor Septimus Severus, it is estimated that the arena could accommodate up to 100,000 spectators. « less
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30 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    4
    4
    16
    5
    1
Date Rating
Istanbul
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2012

this is the apple of Istanbul's eye that all history survived in vicinity of that place More

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See 16 more reviews by staxis for Istanbul
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2012

A few obelisks and statues are all that remain. It's kind of hard to miss walking between the Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque, so you'll see it without even realizing it if your not careful. It's a nice little street with park benches if you are looking for a place to relax for a few minutes. There's a neat... More

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See 5 more reviews by frugaldoc for Istanbul
Kazakhstan
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2012

If you walk through Sultanahmet, chances are you will be in/on the Hippodrome. Read about its history to have a better appreciation... More

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See 14 more reviews by lifeabroad for Istanbul
Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2012

Nothing much remains of the hippodrome itself - except for the sphendone if you wander down to the south. (This looks like the outside of an amphitheatre in dire need of repair) but use your imagination and think of chariots racing up one side of the hippodrome and down the other. The Walled Obelisk supposedly marks the turning point -... More

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See 33 more reviews by Simon A for Istanbul
Bolton, United Kingdom
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 February 2012

Conviently next to the Blue Mosque there are several little sights here. 3 snakes, german fountain, obelisk etc. More

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See 19 more reviews by irishwanderer1986 for Istanbul
Sarasota, Florida
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 January 2012

If you stay anywhere near Sultanahmet, you'll be walking over the Hippodrome frequently. Like a smaller Washington Mall. More

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See 32 more reviews by faughtandwon for Istanbul
pleroma
Top Contributor
54 reviews 54 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 January 2012

Very little evidence that a hippodrome existed here. The area has been well paved and laid out. Disliked the people trying to flog guide books and touts for business in souvenir carpet shops and city bus tours. More

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See 9 more reviews by pleroma for Istanbul
Sydney, Australia
Top Contributor
149 reviews 149 reviews
Reviews in 30 cities Reviews in 30 cities
62 helpful votes 62 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 December 2011

there is only a few fragments left of the original Hippodrome structure one of the oldest sites in Istanbul It is really now just a lovely modern garden to walk around with a few columns Adjacent to the Mosque the Hippodrome was originally built by the Romans and would have been used for chariot racing There are only now three... More

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See 6 more reviews by sassafraf for Istanbul
Kelowna, Canada
Senior Contributor
37 reviews 37 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 November 2011

We visited it with our private tour guide and it was interesting because we had someone to tell us the history. It is right outside the Blue Mosque but has only 3 small parts of it left. If you don't know the history or don't have someone to explain what you are looking at it probably isn't worth stopping. More

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See 10 more reviews by KathyLB for Istanbul
Greenwich
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 November 2011
1
person found this review helpful

There is nothing left of this building with such huge history. In 532, a huge riot (Nika riots) started after a race and it lasted five days. At the end 30,000 people were dead. However... nothing left... but I had to walk around the park.. I just had to do it. So.. I suggest a stroll around the park after... More

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See 13 more reviews by Luis R for Istanbul

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