Istanbul - Horse Square

(Local Name: Atmeydani) Adjoining the southwest side of Ayasofya Meydani in Istanbul extends Atmeydani (Horse Square), an open space more than 300m/330yds long which occupies part of the site of the ancient Hippodrome, begun by Septimius Severus in 203 and completed by Constantine the Great in 330. This was the center of Byzantine Court and public life, the scene of splendid games but also of factional conflicts (Nika Insurrection). Between here and the sea-walls on the Sea of Marmara (still largely preserved) were the Roman and Byzantine Imperial palaces with their churches and associated buildings.