Walled Obelisk, Istanbul

Walled Obelisk, Istanbul

The Walled Obelisk, also called the Constantine Obelisk or Masonry Obelisk can be seen at the south end of the Hippodrome of Constantinople, (now Sultanahmet Square) – a popular spot in Istanbul, with the Egyptian Obelisk, the German Fountain, and the famous Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque also closeby.

Although its original construction date is unknown, the 32 m (105 ft)-high obelisk was reconstructed of roughly cut stones by Constantine VII in the 10th century. At that time, it was reportedly decorated with gilded bronze plaques that portrayed the victories of Basil I, the grandfather of Constantine VII, and had a sphere at its top. However, reportedly these gilded bronze plaques were stolen and melted down by Fourth Crusaders in 1204. The obelisk suffered further damage to its surface by young Janissaries (the Ottoman Sultan's household troops), who liked to climb the structure to show off their prowess. Today, it is visited by tourists from far and wide.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Istanbul. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Walled Obelisk on Map

Sight Name: Walled Obelisk
Sight Location: Istanbul, Turkey (See walking tours in Istanbul)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Istanbul, Turkey

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles

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