A survivor of both storm and fire, this 35-m (115-ft) high column was constructed in AD 330 as part of the celebrations to inaugurate the new Byzantine capital . It once dominated the magnificent Foaim of Constantine . Made of porphyry brought from Heliopolis in Egypt, it was originally surmounted by a Corinthian capital bearing a statue of Emperor Constantine dressed as Apollo. This was brought down in a storm in 1106. Although what is left is relatively unimpressive, it has been carefully preserved In the year 416 the 10 stone claims making up the column were reinforced with metal rings. These were renewed in 1701 by Sultan Mustafa III, and consequently the column is known as cemberlitas. (the Hooped Column) in Turkish. In English it is sometimes referred to as the Burnt Column because it was damaged by several fires, especially one in 1779 which decimated the Grand Bazaar . A variety of fantastical holy relics were supposedly entombed in the base of the column, which has since been encased in stone to strengthen it. These included the axe which Noah used to build the ark, Mary Magdalen's tlask of anointing oil, and remains of the loaves of bread with which Christ fed the multitude. Next to Constantine's Column, on the corner of Divanyolu Caddesi, stand the Cemberlitas Baths. This splendid hmnnm complex was commissioned by Nur Banu, wife of Sultan Selim II, and built in 1584 to a plan by the great Sinan. Although the original women's section no longer survives, the baths still have separate facilities for men and women. The staff are used to foreign visitors, so this is a good place for your first experience of a Turkish bath. (s1)
Located on the Divanyolu in the district to which it has given its name, Çemberlitas, this column was brought to Istanbul from the Temple of Apollo by Constantinus I (B.C. 324-337). The column was topped by a statue of Apollo and, according to pagan tradition, he clasped a javelin in one hand and a cross in the other. The statue was struck by lighting and destroyed, later replaced by a marble cross. The cross was removed during the Ottoman period but the column was leil untouched. Sultan Mustafa II re-enforced the column with iron bands and built the pedestal on which it still stands today. The 35 meter high column is thought to contain relics belonging to Jesus Christ. (s2)
A survivor of both storm and fire, this 35-m (115-ft) high column was constructed in AD 330 as part of the celebrations to inaugurate the new Byzantine capital . It once dominated the magnificent Foaim of Constantine .