Hippodrome, oh Hippodrome, where are you?

On just about any list you look at of places you MUST see in Istanbul, you will see Hippodrome of Constantinople. First of all, I had to look up what a hippodrome was. A hippodrome is greek word literally meaning horse path or way. So basically, a hippodrome is a place where horse/chariot races took place. It sounds like a completely interesting place to see...if you can find it!

The Hippodrome of Constantinople has been one of the hardest things for me to find. You would think that a large area that once held 100,000 people would be easy to find! Wrong!!! Over the years much of the Hippodrome has been destroyed and some pieces from the area have been moved to be displayed in other countries. All that remains now are 3 columns.

I have ventured around Historic Istanbul many times. Each time I am out I hope to figure out where exactly this Hippodrome was. One of my guide books mistakingly lists the Hippodrome near the Topkapı Palace, so I have always assumed the park next to the Palace, Gulhane Park, was where the chariot horses took place...but I couldn't find any columns that would confirm this.

Last week, when I was out and about on the gorgeously beautiful day, I took a little walk by the Blue Mosque. I stopped, sat and admired the mosque and the water fountain nearby (that they just started running again), and ate some watermelon. I then decided to take a little trip to the Grand Bazaar to see if I could find some simple shorts to wear, as it was getting hot and I needed something besides pants. So, I headed in the direction of what I thought was west...but apparently was a little bit more southwest. I thought the shops around looked familiar, but the three columns in front of me were definitely new. It is funny how whenever I think I am in a place I know, but there is suddenly some big column or gate in front of me, I think it must have been just put there. I mean, it definitely wasn't ME who made a wrong turn.

I walked around the columns, admiring their heights and construction. They were set in the ground a good 15 ft...maybe. I took the following pictures and then read some more about each column. After a few minutes I realized...I was in the Hippodrome. Wow! It was definitely smaller than I thought it would be. To think that so many people crowded this area to watch chariots race by was hard to believe. So many stores line the area. All that is left now is the small oval shaped area where 3 large columns remain.