Sultanahmet Square: From Hippodrome to Heart of Istanbul

In this episode of Constantinople to Istanbul, Lucas and Luna explore the layered history of Sultanahmet Square, the city's ancient social and political heart. They trace its evolution from the Roman Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Nika Revolt unfolded, through its transformation under Ottoman rule. Learn how the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk survived centuries, and how Mehmed the Conqueror repurposed the space for imperial ceremonies. The conversation also covers the construction of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (the Blue Mosque) under Ahmed I, the square's role in Ottoman processions, and its modern life as a tourist hub. Specific details include the Hippodrome's spina, the unearthing of the Great Palace Mosaic, and the destruction of the Kathisma. This episode offers a vivid portrait of a public space that has shaped the city's identity for over a millennium.

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