Sights · 33 of the best in Istanbul
Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş)
Constantine’s porphyry column
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Bollweevil · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş)
Constantine the Great set up this column of purple porphyry in his forum when he dedicated the city in 330. Damaged by fires and earthquakes, it was bound with iron hoops, which give Çemberlitaş, “the hooped stone”, its name. It stands on Divan Yolu by the tram stop, next to the Çemberlitaş Hamamı.
Why it's on our list
- Erected in 330
- Porphyry drums
- On the tram line
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş) before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Column of Constantine (Çemberlitaş) are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro & tram stops
- ÇemberlitaşT150 m1 min walk
- SultanahmetT1350 m4 min walk
- Beyazıt - Kapalı ÇarşıT1400 m5 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Çayıroğlu Sokağı650 m8 min walk
- Taxi rank, Kennedy Avenue800 m10 min walk
Key sights
- Grand Bazaar400 mWalk 5 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Blue Mosque600 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Basilica Cistern600 mWalk 7 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Hagia Sophia750 mWalk 9 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Spice Bazaar850 mWalk 11 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Süleymaniye Mosque1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Topkapı Palace1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Galata Bridge1.3 kmWalk 16 minCycle 5 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Galata Tower1.9 kmWalk 24 minCycle 8 minCar or taxi 9 min
- İstiklal Avenue2.8 kmWalk 35 minCycle 11 minCar or taxi 11 min
Getting around
- Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW)31 kmCar or taxi 96 min
- Istanbul Airport (IST)35 kmCar or taxi 108 min