Çemberlitaş

Çemberlitaş

After the conquest of Istanbul, Çemberlitaş was one of the most important and popular districts during the Ottoman era. The settlement included wooden houses and historical bulidins but was damaged by frequent fires. 

Most of them have survived until today through restoration but unfortunately many of them were destroyed. 

Cemberlitas

(Column of Constantine )

Because of the capital city changed from Rome to Constantinople in A.D. 330, the Column of Constantine in Çemberlitaş was erected in the middle of a big oval area located on the second hill of the city in honor of Constantine. The area known as the forum of Constantine, wes surrounded by galleries with columns. Çemberlitaş has also been known as the burnt pillar. It is now shorter then its original form. There used to be a statue of Constatine the Great posing like the sun god on top of the column. The porphyry blocks of the pillar were wrapped with iron rigns because it had cracked over time due to fires. The marble capital dates from the 12th century and the built up part below dates from the 18th century. It was believed that there was a small room at the bottom including relics from early Christianity. The main way passing by it has been used since Constantine the Great.