Hippodrom/ Atmeydanı

The Hippodrome was the largest and one of the most significant buildings in Byzantine Constantinople. Located in the heart of the city beside the Great Palace, it was not only an arena for chariot races -the most exciting and popular spectator sport from the 4^th to the 7^th century- but also a place where emperors were created, military victories celebrated, and rulers collectively acclaimed by the people. Atmeydanı, on the other hand, became one of the most important and lively public spaces of Ottoman İstanbul. “The Hippodrome/Atmeydanı: A Stage For İstanbul’s History” exhibition examined this very special and colorful square of the city, which has also hosted a variety of consequential incidents during the foundation of the Republic, through artefacts, architectural drawings, photographs and daily life objects, and took the İstanbulites on a tour of their city’s different recollection spanning from the 4th to the 20^th century.