Atmeydani (The Hippodrome)

Back in the rough and ready days of the Byzantium era, elections weren't decided by any kind of namby-pamby voluntary voting system; more often than not an emperor's fate hung on the outcome of a Ben Hur-style chariot race. The races were held at the Hippodrome, or Atmeydani, where the 'Greens' and 'Blues' (political parties) would line up to do battle. Team victories could have an enormous impact on policy and it wasn't unusual for an emperor to lose his throne at the post-match, disappointment-induced riot.

Despite (or maybe because of) its potential to be the site of many a cruel downfall, successive emperors endowed the Hippodrome with many statues, obelisks and monuments. The granite Obelisk of Theodosius is one of the most impressive features. The dainty Kaiser Wilhelm fountain is also worth a visit, as is the Turkish & Islamic Arts Museum (Turk ve Islam Eserleri Muzesi), with its ethnographic exhibits and Ottoman upper-class paraphernalia.

SITE CONTENT

Affiliations

SOCIAL BOOKMARKING FOR THIS PAGE:

We will show you a great time in Istanbul! We can arrange Istanbul City Tours,ISTANBUL Getting there and Away, Istanbul, Tour, Hotel information Travel Guide Istanbu, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofia, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome, Basilica Cisterne, Bosphorous cruise, Bosphorous bridge, Fatih Sultan Ahmehmet bridge, Sultanahmet, Taksim Square, Princes Island, Istanbul Hotel, Accommodation Istanbul, Traditional 1001 night, Sightseeing Istanbul, Istanbul Tour, Istanbul Package Tours, Istanbul Hotel reservation, Istanbul Bus Tour, Vip Istanbul Tour, Private Istanbul Package tour, Bus tours Istanbul, Princes Island tour, Byzantine tour, Istanbul Classics Tour, Ottoman Relics, Ottoman Empire, Ataturk and Sabiha Gokcen Airport, To make your dreams come true in Istanbul Turkey, choose us it's our life!