Hippodrome was a circus for the sporting and social center of Constantinople. Constantinople was the capital of Byzantine Empire for long years. The name of square is Sultan Ahmet Square today.
Hippodrome was built with the order of Emperor Septimius Severus in AD 203 and was an arena for chariot races and other entertainments.
Hippodrome was the center for social life of city. 4 Teams were playing in races and people were bet on chariot races. Each team financially supported by political party within Byzantine Senate: The Blues, the Greens, the Reds and the Whites. The Reds and the Whites gradually weakened and were absorbed by the other two major factions. These chariots were supported by four horses and competed on the racing track of Hippodrome.
The Nika riots of 532 started from here between the Blues and Greens. 30,000 people were killed and many important buildings like 2. Hagia Sofia Church were burnt.
The Turks took over city in 1453 and made this city capital of Ottoman Empire. Muslim people didn’t use Hippodrome for long time except for some circumcision ceremony of the sons of Ahmet III.
There is no Entrance Fee.