Walled Obelisk, Monument in Sultanahmet Square, Turkey
The Walled Obelisk is a stone monument standing at the southern end of the former Hippodrome of Constantinople in central Istanbul. It sits alongside two other notable structures: the Egyptian Obelisk and the Serpentine Column, all within Sultanahmet Square.
The structure underwent restoration in the 10th century when Emperor Constantine VII added gilded bronze plaques depicting the military triumphs of his grandfather Basil I. This work significantly shaped the monument's appearance during the medieval period.
The structure gained attention in medieval Arabic texts that described its form as a tower and noted its distinctive architectural details. Today it remains a recognizable landmark within the broader plaza's layout.
The site sits on Sultanahmet Square between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, making it easily accessible on foot through the central area. The open plaza allows you to view all three monuments of the former Hippodrome from various angles.
The interior contains pottery fragments and nuts embedded within its stone walls, which would crack when strong winds caused the structure to shift slightly. This unusual filling may have created unexpected sounds during storms.
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