Sultanahmet Square is one of the places to visit in Istanbul. Sultanahmet, which is one of the biggest gates opening to the city, wakes Istanbul every morning with the rumble voice rising from the center of the city. Tourists who come to this beautiful city, first of all want to see the Blue Mosque.
Sultanahmet Square
This square has been known throughout history by different names. Romans call it Hippodrome Square. The Ottomans called the Horse Square and made the javelin races here.
The most obvious structure of the square is the Sultanahmet Mosque. The Sultanahmet Mosque, which looks like an architectural jewel just opposite Hagia Sophia, was built about a thousand years after Hagia Sophia, despite the similarities between them.
It was built by Sultan Ahmed I, Architect Sedefkar Mehmet Aga. The mosque is called the Blue Mosque because it is made of blue, green and white colored Iznik tiles.
After the Hagia Sophia was converted into a museum in 1934, the Sultanahmet Mosque became the main mosque of Istanbul.
The Obelisk, Snake Column And Knitted Column
The area that draws the most attention to everyone coming to Sultanahmet Square is Obelisk, Snake Column and Knitted Column.
The Obelisk
The obelisk’s story begins in Egypt. When this stone was unearthed in Egypt, calendars were showing 1500 BC. For the Egyptians and the Romans, obelisks meant power, power and victory. But all of them were pulled out of the world stage and there was a structure consisting of a piece of old stone. That is why when you go to the Obelisk, you will find that old stone whispering a story about the transience of the world.
The Snake Column
Right next to the obelisk, there is the Snake Column, which at first glance seems to have no remarkable side. It was formed by the combination of three iron pieces in a twist.
The symbolic value of this monument is that it represents the union of Greek city states acting together against the Persians.
The image of the Snake Column today is quite different from the original one. The two heads of the snakes and the boiler on their heads were not found despite the long search. An excavation in the 19th century found one of the snake heads and is exhibited at the Istanbul Archeology Museum.
Knitted Obelisk
The knitted obelisk, which is the last of the historical monuments in the square, is 32 meters long. This stone was marking a return to horses competing in the hippodrome.
When this historic work was repaired, it was covered with bronze. However, during the Latin invasion these bronzes were dismantled.
German Fountain
A fountain attracts attention just north of Sultanahmet Square. This fountain is the German Emperor II. Willem’s gift to Istanbul is the German Fountain.
The fountain, the newest work in Sultanahmet Square, draws attention with its elegant architecture and mosaics. The fountain was built in Germany and was installed in 1901 in Istanbul.
