Column of Constantine

Column of Constantine

The Column of Constantine, also known as the Burnt Column, is a Roman memorial column commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great in 330 AD to commemorate the renaming of Byzantium to Nova Roma, the new capital of the Roman Empire. It is located on Divanyolu Street in the heart of Istanbul’s historic peninsula, along the ancient Mese road, between Sultanahmet Square and Beyazıt Square.

The Column of Constantine stands at the center of the Forum of Constantine, an oval-shaped plaza located outside the city walls. Originally 50 meters tall, it was composed of nine cylindrical blocks made of porphyry and topped with a statue of Constantine in the likeness of Apollo. In 1106, a strong gale toppled the statue and the top three sections. A few years later, Byzantine Emperor Manuel I replaced the statue with a cross and added an inscription. In 1204, during the Fourth Crusade, the bronze ornaments were looted. After the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the Ottomans removed the cross. The 1779 earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed the surrounding neighborhood, leaving scorch marks on the column, hence its nickname "Burnt Column."

The Column of Constantine is one of Istanbul’s most significant Roman artworks. Today, it stands 35 meters tall. Restoration work began in 1955 to fill cracks, and metal supports were added in 1972. In 1985, the historic areas of the Istanbul Peninsula, including the Column of Constantine, were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Column of Constantine

Why go: One of Istanbul’s most important Roman artworks

Continent: Asia

Country/Region: Turkey

Province/State: Istanbul Province

City: Istanbul