We visited the Hippodrome, the ancient structure was the scene of chariot races, featuring three monuments: the Obelisk of
Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column
of Constantine.

The Nika riots and revolt had started on the 13th or the Ides of January, actually in the hippodrome (‘Nika’ – ‘victory’ – was what spectators chanted at chariot races and it was the slogan of the rebels). Emperor Justinian was there to watch the races which were held on the Ides. The riots started with the two opposing chariot-racing teams, the Blues and the Greens, and their supporters. There were several contributing factors to the revolt, including food shortages and a power struggle in the ruling elite. The rebels besieged the palace and destroyed half of the city by fire. Justinian returned to the hippodrome to address the crowds. The rebels briefly set up their own emperor, and he even sat in the emperor’s box at the hippodrome. Then Justinian had the revolt brutally suppressed by his soldiers, who massacred the crowds in the hippodrome. It is thought that over 30,000 people died during the massacre. Justinian regained control of the city and ruled the empire for another 30 years. The hippodrome was closed for five years and, not surprisingly, it was the end of chariot-racing in the Byzantine empire…

Continue to the Sultan Ahmet Imperial
Mosque, near the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, built in the
16th Century by the architect Mehmet, and known as the
Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of
blue Iznik Tiles.
The next stop is Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the
Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries, housing
an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain
robes worn by the sultans and their families.
Later in the afternoon, after lunch at leisure (not included),
head to the famous Spice Bazaar, where the air is filled
with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron,
mint, thyme and every other conceivable herb and spice.
Browse the authentic gifts, Turkish coffee, herbs, spices and
handicrafts.