Obelisk of Theodosius

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Olcay Özfırat

Level 29 Local Expert

This elegant obelisk and the façade of the Blue Mosque behind it coincidentally create a view almost like the facade of ancient Egyptian temples. The architectural and geometric appearance of the mosque is in harmony with the obelisk. The Obelisk, which has managed to stand in the area where it is located for about 1700 years and is 19.5 meters long, is approximately 24 meters high including its footing. On the footrest at the bottom of the monument, there are reliefs depicting the Obelisk being brought from Egypt to Istanbul, its erection, its location in the hippodrome, horse races, and inscriptions in Greek and Latin. The Greek inscription at the bottom of the monument reads, "Only Emperor Theodosius dared to lift this four-faced column lying on the ground as a burden, and called Proclus to his aid, and such a huge column stood up in thirty-two days." The partly cracked Latin inscription on the opposite side of this inscription reads, “Once stubborn, I was commanded to obey the serene master(s) and after the tyrant(s) were eliminated, to bear palm trees… All things bow to Theodosius and his undying cause.” . “So I, defeated and tamed, was lifted up to the heavens above in thirty days, with Proclus ruling.” There are reliefs on the four sides of the second pedestal, which is located on the pedestal with the inscriptions, telling about the family and palace surroundings of Emperor Theodosius I. The decipherment of the hieroglyphs on the obelisk was made in 1823. In the hieroglyphs, Amon Ra, one of the Egyptian gods, is mentioned and the greatness of Emperor Thutmosis is mentioned. While the hieroglyphs on the body part of the obelisk facing the Turkish-Islamic Arts Museum read, "Ruler Thutmosis made his vow to God Amon and confessed his impotence, he made this work for his father, the great God Amon-Ra," while the hieroglyphs on the opposite side of the Blue Mosque read, "XIII. III from the dynasty. Thutmosis first makes his sacrifice to the God Amon. With the help and blessings of the very strong and powerful Horus, the pious, the owner of Upper and Lower Egypt, the spiritual descendant of the Great Sun, the educated and nourished by God Tom, and the sacred Mother Goddess. "Tutmosis, who was raised in the tender arms of Nit, took control of all the seas and rivers and had this column built and erected in the thirtieth holiday year of his reign, for the holidays to come for many more years to come." While the hieroglyphs on the body facing the German Fountain read, "Tutmosis made his sacrifice to Amon-Ra and determined to expand the borders of his country to Mesopotamia with the strength and power granted by Horus", the hieroglyphs on the part facing the Knitted Column read, "He is the recipient of the beneficial blessings of God Horus." Thutmosis, the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, the son of the mighty and glorious Sun, went as far as Mesopotamia, traveled in the Mediterranean, and fought great wars even though he was ahead of his soldiers.

Lazizbek Ergashev

Level 14 Local Expert

Free and right out in the open, kind of wild how well preserved it is for its age. A quick look is plenty.

Валери

Level 10 Local Expert

When you find yourself in Sultanahmet Square (the former Hippodrome), it is impossible not to notice this tall pink granite monolith: an Egyptian obelisk, which impresses with its antiquity and scale. This is not just a statue or a column, but a part of the history of two great empires. The obelisk was created more than 3,000 years ago during the time of Pharaoh Thutmose III and originally stood at the temple of Karnak in Luxor, glorifying military victories and religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. The Theodosius Obelisk is a must—see point for anyone who loves history and wants to feel the spirit of the past. It's not just a monument.: It is a bridge between epochs, which surprises with its durability, beauty and multi-layered meaning.

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Надежда Гмызо

Level 28 Local Expert

And here is another unique obelisk brought from Egypt. It's also the obelisk of Theodosius. He is 3,485 years old and feels great on the shores of the Bosphorus. When it was built in honor of Pharaoh Thutmose 3, it was almost 40 meters high, but something went wrong during transportation to Constantinople and it split. Now the height is about 25 meters with a pedestal. He even managed to visit the fountain. Great location!

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Александр Владимиров

Level 30 Local Expert

Every time I see Egyptian obelisks, I can't help but think about how impermanent and transitory everything is. For example, this obelisk was erected by Pharaoh Thutmose in the XV century BC. It was transported to Constantinople by Emperor Theodosius in 390 AD. It was damaged on the way, put on the foundation with pretentious statements that there was never and will never be a steeper Theodosius. And what now? Where is the Pharaoh, where is Theodosius, where is Ancient Egypt, where is Ancient Rome?.. And the obelisk stands - perfectly made, perfectly looking, stands and reminds us of the frailty of our world. A magnificent obelisk in the very center of Istanbul, one of the oldest artifacts that can be viewed every day and, I am sure, always find something new -)

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Pavel Sindrevich

Level 30 Local Expert

It is sometimes called the Theodosius obelisk after the emperor who installed this stele in Constantinople at the beginning of our era. To be fair, it should be noted that this is actually the obelisk of the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III, and already three and a half thousand years ago it stood in the Karnak temple in Thebes. Theodosius the Great brought him out of Egypt, though not quite successfully. The obelisk cracked in the middle and therefore only its top was installed. It was erected on a seven-meter pedestal, but the original height of the obelisk of almost 38 meters was far from being reached. It is said that at one time there was even a fountain here, in any case, the pipes were connected to the base.

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Катерина Ковалёва

Level 14 Local Expert

The Egyptian obelisk was created in the XV century BC by order of Pharaoh Thutmose III. It is one of the most ancient historical monuments in Istanbul. Initially, he decorated the temple in ancient Thebes, but fate has prepared a long way for him.

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Юлия Суздалева

Level 22 Local Expert

One of the most famous and well-preserved ancient Egyptian obelisks, known as the Theodosius Obelisk or simply the Egyptian Obelisk at the Hippodrome. It is located on Sultanahmet Square, on the site of the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople. Initially, the obelisk was installed in the temple of Karnak in Luxor (Ancient Egypt) by Pharaoh Thutmose III in the XV century BC, in honor of his victories. It is made of red Aswan granite. Hieroglyphs are carved on its surface, glorifying the deeds of Thutmose III. In the 4th century AD, Roman Emperor Constantius II ordered the obelisk to be transported from Karnak to Alexandria. He was supposed to be taken to Rome, but remained in Alexandria. Around 390 AD, Emperor Theodosius I the Great ordered the obelisk to be transported from Alexandria to Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) to decorate the central axis of the Hippodrome. It was a huge engineering achievement of that time. Initially, the obelisk was about 30 meters high. However, the lower part was damaged or cut off during transportation or installation. Now its apparent height is about 18.5 meters (with a pedestal — about 25 meters). The obelisk stands on a magnificent marble pedestal from the Roman era. The pedestal depicts scenes of the installation of the obelisk, Emperor Theodosius I with his family, as well as images of horse racing and spectators at the Hippodrome. The Theodosius Obelisk is one of the oldest monuments in Istanbul and one of the most striking evidences of the city's connection with the ancient world and Ancient Egypt.

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Андрей Николаев

Level 16 Local Expert

Initially, the obelisk was located in the southern part of the Great Temple of Atum-Ra-Amun in Thebes, near the seventh pylon, where it was installed in 1460 BC. It was dedicated to the jubilee in honor of the thirtieth anniversary of the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III. By order of Emperor Theodosius the Great, the obelisk was brought to Constantinople. During transportation, the fragile granite monolith burst into two pieces. The upper part, with a height of 19.59 m and a weight of about 281.6 tons, was mounted on bronze supports and a marble pedestal with the help of a special crane (geranium). After 395 AD, the obelisk was converted into a fountain: the water pipe cut into the right facade of the pedestal, and the leads went out into 4 vessels on bronze supports.

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Исмоилов

Level 17 Local Expert

An amazing monument of ancient history. It impresses with its preservation and age.

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владимир донцов

Level 20 Local Expert

On Sultanahmet Square stands the ancient obelisk of Theodosius, the Egyptian Pillar, an authentic ancient Egyptian column, the oldest monument in Istanbul.

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Искусство смотреть

Level 12 Local Expert

3,500 thousand years ago, the Egyptians under Thutmose III carved this obelisk as a stone ray of the sun, which cements the power of the pharaoh forever. It says, "I am chosen by the gods," "my power is eternal." But history proves the opposite by the hands of the Romans - Egypt becomes a colony of Rome, the pharaohs die, and the obelisk sails to Constantinople. What did the new owners add to the obelisk in the 4th century?🫣👉 "This obelisk, which had been conquered before, was raised with difficulty by order of Emperor Theodosius. Everything obeyed him in a short time..." And the obelisk was broken and brought 11 meters less😅 And again, history has shown that not everything is subordinate to the emperor - the Crusaders captured the capital in 1204, the Turks occupied all of Byzantium by 1453.😱😱 Every culture, every empire stands on the achievements and ruins of the past empire, and no amount of propaganda ultimately saves from the passage of time.🤪 Do you want to know more about architecture and painting? Subscribe to the Art of Watching podcast

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Mikhail S.

Level 30 Local Expert

They were brought from Egypt. Generally speaking, it looks top. It stands under the open sky. He is more than 3 thousand years old. Mega cool. Be sure to come in.

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Рашид Хайруллин

Level 18 Local Expert

It is located on Sultanahmet Square. It lights up in the evening.

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Максим Ремезов

Level 11 Local Expert

The Obelisk of Theodosius (Egyptian Obelisk) (tour. Dikilitaş) is an ancient Egyptian obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III (XVIII dynasty), erected on the dividing barrier of the Constantinople hippodrome (today known as At Meydanı or Sultanahmet Meydanı and located in Istanbul, Turkey). It was erected by the Emperor of the Roman Empire Theodosius the Great in 390 AD . It is the best preserved of the obelisks brought to Constantinople and the only one brought directly from Egypt. The second preserved obelisk, made of Egyptian porphyry, badly damaged, is located in the courtyard of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. It was originally located in the southern part of the Great Temple of Atum-Ra-Amon, Thebes, at the seventh pylon, where it was installed in 1460 BC. It was dedicated to the jubilee in honor of the thirtieth anniversary of the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III (architect Puemra). It had an initial height of 37.77 meters and a weight of about 542.94 tons. The dedicatory inscription mentions the victorious campaign of the Pharaoh in Mesopotamia. By order of Emperor Theodosius the Great, the obelisk was delivered to Constantinople: first it was tipped over onto an embankment and, having dragged it to the bank of the Nile, loaded onto a barge; then, having floated to Alexandria, it was reloaded onto a special ship (navis lapidariae). During transportation, the fragile granite monolith burst into two parts. The upper part, with a height of 19.59 m and a weight of about 281.6 tons, was mounted on bronze supports and a marble pedestal with the help of a special crane (geran). After 395 AD, the obelisk was converted into a fountain. The water pipe crashed into the right facade of the pedestal, and the conclusions went out into 4 vessels on bronze supports.

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John

Level 17 Local Expert

An epochal building with an interesting history, a must-see

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Ольга Перфильева

Level 11 Local Expert

The square is located near the Blue Mosque, an interesting obelisk with its very ancient history.

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Ольга Кравец

Level 30 Local Expert

The Egyptian Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian monument located in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square. The obelisk was brought directly from Egypt to Constantinople.

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Svetlana

Level 23 Local Expert

The Obelisk of Theodosius (Egyptian obelisk) is an ancient Egyptian obelisk of Pharaoh Thutmose III. It was erected by the Emperor of the Roman Empire Theodosius the Great in 390 AD. Beautiful and historical. There used to be a horse racing racetrack on this square

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Светлана Я.

Level 30 Local Expert

The obelisk of Theodosius is the best preserved of the obelisks brought to Constantinople.

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Николай Д.

Level 6 Local Expert

The cultural layer of more than 2 meters is very noticeable.

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Pallmira

Level 28 Local Expert

Once again, you are amazed at the Egyptian architects, the accuracy of measurements, the quality and durability of materials...may we build like this...

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Расул

Level 13 Local Expert

The legendary Egyptian obelisk on which ancient hieroglyphs dedicated to gods and rulers can be seen.

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Евгений

Level 13 Local Expert

An interesting obelisk. To see the Egyptian hieroglyphs in Istanbul, what could be more beautiful.

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Александра Яковенко

Level 30 Local Expert

A colorful obelisk brought from Egypt

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Константин

Level 20 Local Expert

Architecture, art and history, all this leaves the best impression.

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Milkyway

Level 30 Local Expert

How they dragged it and put it on is not clear at all, it looks amazing.

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Ivan Evgenevich

Level 11 Local Expert

There are decent reviews below with a detailed description. I will only give you a grade of "5" and recommend you to visit! To all tourists who use Yandex - PEACE, LOVE, KINDNESS, MUTUAL RESPECT! Help each other! Share your positivity and leave behind purity and pleasant memories, with respect! Be an exemplary example to other tourists! Ronilav

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Игорь

Level 11 Local Expert

A huge beautiful Egyptian obelisk!

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Илья Шайкевич

Level 30 Local Expert

It's better to come and watch it in the evening. There will be fewer people

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Ulianny

Level 9 Local Expert

A great obelisk!

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Михаил К

Level 23 Local Expert

A great option for hiking!

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Айхан Абдуллаев

Level 8 Local Expert

I visited Egypt for a minute after seeing this building

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Obelisk of Theodosius

33 reviews