Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Hippodrome


To start the first full day of our Istanbul encounter, we journeyed from our hotel to the Hippodrome where chariots once raced for the favor of the sultan. Though the Hippodrome now lies beneath several layers of foundations as each new era built upward, we could imagine the festivities and competition around the Obelisk of Theodosius.





Believed to be about 2500 years old this serpantine column has some serious history!
Originally an offering to Apollo it contained a golden tripod and bowl accompanied with 3 snake heads.
Unfortunately the serpent heads are no longer attached to the column but one of three heads resides in the
Archology Museum of Istanbul.


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