Cemberlitas Sutunu
Cemberlitas Sutunu
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The area
Neighbourhood: Grand Bazaar
Tourists, hawkers, and locals come together at the Grand Bazaar to comb its labyrinthine passageways in search of a bargain – be it a pair of brand name jeans, a handcrafted silk rug, or a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Outside the vast bazaar, worn, narrow streets wind their way down from its lofty perch to the southern shore of the Golden Horn, where the evocatively aromatic Spice Bazaar beckons alongside the elegant New Mosque (opened in 1665). Nearby, the famed Galata Bridge offers pedestrian access to urban delights across the river in Istanbul’s more residential and contemporary neighbourhoods, while the must-see sights of Sultanahmet are but a leisurely stroll away.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
251 reviews
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60
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103
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77
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11
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1
junior1907
Istanbul, Türkiye1,96,142 contributions
Jul 2014 • Business
The column was erected to honor Constantine in 330 AD, when Istanbul was dedicated as the capital of the Roman Empire. It stood in the center of a large oval-shaped square on top of the second hill of Istanbul. This square,surrounded by colonnades, was called the Forum of Constantine. Çemberlitaş is also known as the Burnt Column. It was originally higher than it is today and was topped by a statue of Constantine dressed as the sun god. The porphyry blocks of the column were cracked by time and by fire, and have been reinforced with iron hoops.
The marble capital dates to the 12th century, and the stone masonry in the lower section to the 18th century. It is believed that a small chamber under the column housed sacred relics of early Christianity. The course of the avenue that passes by the column has not changed since the time of Constantine.
If you are touring Beyazıt and Sultanahmet districts with some tours,you will definitely stop by and see this old monument.
Written 27 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,153 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Çemberlitaş Sütunu (meaning "hooped stone"; a.k.a. Column of Constantine, Burnt Stone or Burnt Pillar) was dedicated on May 11, 330 AD by Roman emperor Constantine the Great, commemorating his declaration of Byzantium (renamed Nova Roma, then later Constantanople) as the new capital city of the eastern Roman Empire. At the time it was at the center of the Forum of Constantine, situated outside the city walls near the west gate of Antoninia. The column was originally 50 meters tall, constructed of cylindrical porphyry blocks and topped by a statue of Constantine in the figure of Apollo. The orb in his hand was said to contain a fragment of the True Cross. At the foot of the column was a sanctuary which contained relics allegedly from the crosses of the two thieves crucified with Jesus Christ, baskets from the loaves and fishes miracle, an alabaster ointment jar belonging to Mary Magdalene used to anoint the head and feet of Jesus, and the (pagan) palladium of ancient Rome (a wooden statue of Pallas Athena from Troy). The column has had a hard life. A strong gale in 1106 AD toppled the statue and upper column. Byzantine emperor Manuel I Komnenos (reigned 1143-1180) replaced the statue with a cross on top and added a commemorative inscription that read "Faithful Manuel invigorated this holy work of art, which has been damaged by time". Bronze wreaths once covered the joints between the drums, but were taken by the Latin Crusaders while plundering the city during the Fourth Crusade in 1204. Captured Emperor Alexios V Doukas of Constantinople was made to jump from the column top as punishment for his war against the Crusaders. The cross was removed by the Ottoman Turks after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. In 1779 an earthquake and fire destroyed the neighborhood and left the column with black scorch marks (earning it the name "Burnt Column"). The column was restored by Abdülhamid I (18th century), who added the present masonry base. The current column is 35m high; its original platform is 2.5m below current ground level. In 1985 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the monuments in the historic areas of Istanbul. The column (which is lit at night) is in Çemberlitaş Square and is open at all times with no entry fee. There are abundant restaurants, cafes, ATMs and shops nearby.
Written 9 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helmie
Kuala Lumpur123 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
Like previous review mentioned "from afar it looks more like a hige rusted factory exhaust / chimney pipe".
Most likely you saw this structure if you are nearby Sultanahment or using T1 Tram and might have passed it several times. Stop and take a few photos.
Most likely you saw this structure if you are nearby Sultanahment or using T1 Tram and might have passed it several times. Stop and take a few photos.
Written 22 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania36,933 contributions
Mar 2021
A monumental column built in honor of the Roman emperor Constantine. Metal circles on it were added much later by the Ottomans to strengthen its resistance. It is not a "not to be missed" landmark, not being very spectacular.
Written 4 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manoul
Beirut, Lebanon766 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
The Column of Constantine is one of the most important examples of Roman art in Istanbul. The column is located on Yeniçeriler Caddesi in the eponymous neighborhood of Çemberlitaş, Fatih, central Istanbul, along the old Divan Yolu (the 'Road to the Imperial Council') between the Hippodrome of Constantinople (now Sultanahmet Square) and the Forum of Theodosius (now Beyazıt Square).
History
History
Written 5 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HINA W
Islamabad, Pakistan7,358 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We came across this odd looking column whenever we travelled on Divanyolu. It was a landmark that helped my daughters navigate their way to our hotel. Çemberlitaş is a Turkish word which means "stone with hoops". As you walk down the Divan Yolu from the Grand Bazar towards Sultanahmet, along the tram track, you will see this column on your left side. This column was constructed by Emperor Constantine in year 330. It was erected in order to declare that the Roman Empire had a new capital called Constantinople. Though now all we can see is a tall, old and sorry looking stone pillar but at the height of Constantine's rule it was a major landmark and center of the Forum of Constantine. There used to be a grand statue of the Emperor, in the form of god Apollo, fixed on top of this column which was destroyed by a strong storm and replaced by a cross, which later was removed by the Muslim Ottomans. In 1779 a devastating fire ravaged this area including this column. Since then it was nicknamed the "Burnt Stone". We frequently used the tram stop next to it called Çemberlitaş Stop.
Written 28 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luljeta K
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina315 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
Column of Constantine or Burnt Column or Cemberlitas is just one of those random historic monuments that pops up while you are walking around Istanbul. It is located on the small square surrounded with arts and crafts and food shops. There are many benches so you can sit and enjoy the view or take a short break after hours of walking. A lot of pigeons gather around this column and there are several cats you can pet and feed while you are relaxing :)
Written 8 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
Fort Walton Beach, FL186 contributions
Nov 2014 • Family
Located a short distance from the Grand Bazaar or the Hippodrome, this column was constructed and dedicated in the year 330 a.d. to commemorate Christianity within the Roman Empire and to Constantinople, or as it was known then, Nova Roma.
The original column had a statue of Constantine on top with an orb said to have contained pieces of the True Cross. In the 12th century, a very strong storm toppled the statue and what is believed to be the top three segments of the column.
A rather large neighborhood fire in 1779 scorched this column leading to the term "Burnt Column". Other than the historic timeline of this column, there is nothing to it. There are no pictographs outlining history (as seen on the Trajan column in Rome) or inscriptions or anything. It is just a large column near a busy intersection of pedestrian, streetcar, and commuter traffic. If you see it, take a picture; if not, don't go out of your way to see it. I came across the column on a morning jog through the neighborhood and took a picture.
The original column had a statue of Constantine on top with an orb said to have contained pieces of the True Cross. In the 12th century, a very strong storm toppled the statue and what is believed to be the top three segments of the column.
A rather large neighborhood fire in 1779 scorched this column leading to the term "Burnt Column". Other than the historic timeline of this column, there is nothing to it. There are no pictographs outlining history (as seen on the Trajan column in Rome) or inscriptions or anything. It is just a large column near a busy intersection of pedestrian, streetcar, and commuter traffic. If you see it, take a picture; if not, don't go out of your way to see it. I came across the column on a morning jog through the neighborhood and took a picture.
Written 29 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve D
Rainhill, UK91 contributions
Incredible that this monument/obelisk is just at the side of a major road. Believe it or not but the base is supposed to contain Noah's Axe, Mary Magdelen's oil jug and the left over loaves from feeding the 5000. 100m away is the Mausoleum of Ahmet which is free and well worth a visit
Written 24 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ena S
Vancouver, Canada764 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
Other than it's not well maintained and signalised and doesn't really look very appealing today, the column has important historic significance. It is one of the most important examples of Roman art in Istanbul. It was brought to Constantinople from the Temple of Apollo by the emperor Constantine I between 325-328 AD. It commemorates the declaration of Byzantium (renamed by Constantine as Nova Roma) as the new capital city of the Roman Empire. Back in the days, the Column of Constantine must have looked very imposing indeed. On its erection, it was 50 meters tall, constructed of nine cylindrical porphyry blocks surmounted by a statue of Constantine in the figure of Apollo. The orb he carried was said to contain a fragment of the True Cross. At the foot of the column was a sanctuary which contained important religious relics.
It's sad that the Turkish authorities don't put much effort to maintain and restore the monuments of the Christianity. After all, these monuments are a world heritage and deserve much more!
It's sad that the Turkish authorities don't put much effort to maintain and restore the monuments of the Christianity. After all, these monuments are a world heritage and deserve much more!
Written 11 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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