In the very heart of Istanbul, between the city`s two greatest temples — Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque — lies a cozy green park known today as Sultanahmet Park. Long before benches and fountains appeared here, in the Byzantine era, this site was home to one of the most important ceremonial squares of Constantinople — the Augustaion.
The history of this place stretches back to ancient times. The Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, while rebuilding the city of Byzantium in 203 AD, created a large square surrounded by porticoes here, called the Tetrastoon «four porticoes." In the center of the square stood a column with a statue of the sun god Helios.
Augustaion Square
When Emperor Constantine the Great proclaimed Constantinople the new capital of the Roman Empire in 330 AD, he began a massive beautification of the city. It was then that a square was separated from the eastern part of the Tetrastoon and named the Augustaion — in honor of the emperor`s mother, Augusta Helena, whose statue on a porphyry column adorned this place.
For centuries, the Augustaion served as the ceremonial entrance to the empire`s most significant structures. Here stood the Milion — the zero point from which all distances to Constantinople were measured. To the north of the square rose the Hagia Sophia cathedral and the Patriarchal Palace; to the east, the Senate building and the monumental Chalke Gate leading to the Great Imperial Palace; and to the southwest stretched the Baths of Zeuxippus, where the Hippodrome began.
In the 6th century, after the devastating Nika Revolt, Emperor Justinian the Great completely rebuilt the square. It was transformed into an enclosed courtyard surrounded by colonnades and came to be perceived as a grand vestibule to Hagia Sophia. In the western part of the square, the Column of Justinian was erected, crowned with an equestrian statue of the emperor before which stood figures of conquered barbarian kings.
Today, only archaeological evidence remains of Augustaion’s former grandeur, but the space itself continues to fulfill its ancient function — it still connects the city`s greatest sanctuaries, welcoming millions of visitors from around the world.
Sultanahmet Park Today: A Place of Rest and Meetings
The modern Sultanahmet Park is an example of landscape art, where well-maintained lawns, flower beds, and shady trees are arranged in a relatively small space. Locals and tourists alike appreciate this park for the opportunity to escape the city bustle without leaving the historic center.
In the center of Sultanahmet Park stands a large fountain with changing water jets, which is particularly impressive in the evening when its colorful illumination turns on. The water shimmering in all the colors of the rainbow against the backdrop of the illuminated facades of the two great cathedrals creates a truly magical spectacle. On either side of the main fountain, smaller fountains can be seen, adding coolness on hot summer days.
Along the neat pathways, numerous benches invite visitors to sit and enjoy the picture-postcard view of Istanbul`s two greatest structures. From here, one gets the rare opportunity to see Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque together, in a single composition framed by the park`s greenery.
Around the perimeter of Sultanahmet Park, kiosks sell soft drinks and light snacks, and public restrooms are available, making a visit here comfortable. On warm evenings, the park comes alive: couples stroll along the paths, families have picnics on the lawns, and street vendors offer traditional Turkish ice cream — dondurma.
The Million Stone: Zero Point of the World
At the northeastern corner of Sultanahmet Park, right at the entrance to the underground Basilica Cistern, stands one of the most significant historical monuments of Constantinople — the Milion. Today, it is merely a fragment of a once-grand structure, but its historical significance cannot be overstated.
The Million Stone was erected in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine the Great, modeled on the Roman Golden Milestone. It was a majestic domed building on four massive arches, adorned with statues and frescoes. All distances in the Byzantine Empire were measured from this point — the Milion was considered the center of the world.
Until 1884, when the Greenwich Observatory was adopted as the prime meridian, it was Istanbul`s Milion that served as the reference point for measuring time, distance, and direction for a significant part of the world. Imagine: all roads led not to Rome, but here — to Constantinople!
Unfortunately, the monumental building has not survived to the present day. It was destroyed after the Ottoman conquest, and by the 16th century, no trace remained. It was only in the 1960s that partial fragments of this historical monument were discovered during archaeological excavations beneath residential buildings.
During restoration work initiated by the Istanbul municipality in recent years, a remarkable discovery was made at the excavation site of the Million Stone — a relief depicting a human figure was found, having lain underground for centuries. Today, this unique artifact can be seen directly at the excavation site, which is planned to be made accessible to visitors.
Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam: Gift of the Great Roxelana
On the southeastern side of the park, where it borders Hagia Sophia Square, stands a majestic building with characteristic Ottoman contours — the Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam. This is not merely a bathhouse, but a monument to great love and architectural genius.
The hamam was built in 1556–1557 by order of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent for his beloved wife, Hurrem Sultan, known in Europe as Roxelana. The architect was the great Mimar Sinan, who had already created his masterpieces — the Şehzade Mosque and the Süleymaniye Mosque.
The choice of location was deeply symbolic. The hamam was erected where the ancient Baths of Zeuxippus once stood — the public baths of Constantinople, originally built by Septimius Severus. Thus, Sinan continued the tradition of public baths on the very same site, integrating the new building into the historical context.
The hamam is a classic example of Ottoman bathhouse architecture, featuring two symmetrical sections for men and women, typical of the period. The building is constructed of dressed stone and has characteristic massive domes with small star-shaped windows that create a magical play of light in the steam rooms.
For nearly five centuries, the hamam served as a place of ablution for residents and guests of Istanbul. However, by the late 20th century, the building had fallen into disrepair and was closed. A large-scale restoration carried out in 2007–2011 restored the hamam to its former glory.
Today, the Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam is once again open to visitors. Here, one can not only admire the magnificent architecture but also experience an authentic Turkish bath procedure — steaming on hot marble, a foam massage, and exfoliation with a rough mitten.
Hagia Sophia Square: The Ceremonial Entrance
The northern part of Sultanahmet Park, directly adjacent to the Hagia Sophia cathedral, is called Hagia Sophia Square. This space serves as a natural vestibule to the great cathedral, gathering thousands of pilgrims and tourists daily.
It is here that the scale of Hagia Sophia is best appreciated. Stepping back a few dozen meters, one can take in the entire western facade of the cathedral with its powerful buttresses, high arches, and mosaic insets. The building is especially impressive in the early morning, when the first rays of the sun gild its domes, or at sunset, when the walls take on warm pinkish tones.
The square is always bustling. Tour groups meet here, tourists take photos, and street artists and souvenir vendors work. In the shaded part near the park entrance, one can rest on benches, watching the vibrant life and inhaling the aromas of roasted chestnuts and corn sold by street vendors.
Historical details give the square a special atmosphere. A keen eye will notice ancient carved stone blocks — witnesses of the Byzantine era — embedded in the pavement or simply lying along the paths. On one such stone, traces of the statue of Empress Eudoxia, discovered in 1848 and now kept in the garden of Hagia Sophia, can be discerned.
Atmosphere and Impressions of Sultanahmet Park
Sultanahmet Park and the adjacent Hagia Sophia Square form a single space. The best time to visit the park is early morning, when the rays of the rising sun gently illuminate the facades of the two great temples, and crowds of tourists have not yet filled the area. At this time, one can sit quietly on a bench, listening to the birds singing and inhaling the scent of blooming roses.
The park is equally beautiful in the evening, when the fountain illumination lights up, and the majestic silhouettes of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque emerge from the darkness, lit from below. It is especially romantic here at this time — couples stroll along the paths, enjoying the coolness and beauty of the moment.
Sultanahmet Park represents a beautiful space where great eras intersect within a relatively small area. Byzantine heritage is represented by the fragments of the Milion — the zero point for measuring all distances in the empire — and stones from the ancient Augustaion square. The Ottoman period is embodied in the majestic Haseki Hurrem Sultan Hamam building, constructed by Mimar Sinan in the 16th century. The park`s modern appearance, with its fountains, flower beds, and walking paths, creates ideal conditions for relaxation between visits to Istanbul`s two greatest temples.
