Istanbul - The Cemberlitas Column

The Cemberlitas Column

The Cemberlitas Column

This column is said to be brought to Constantinople from the Apollo-Temple by Constantinus I between 325-328 AD. It is also well-known as the Constantine Column. Originally there was a statue of Apollo on top of the 35 meter long column.

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Apollo in mythology was the god of light and the sun; truth and prophecy. Christianity did not accept Apollo and so he was replaced by a cross. The column represented the emperor Constantin as the god of sun Helios. Nowadays the Cemberlitas Column is located between Sultanahmet and the Beyazit Square. In Constantine times the column symbolized the center of an oval square, called the Forum of Constantine. It is said that in the fundament some of the most important relics of Christianity where sealed, like a piece of the true cross, the baskets from the loaves and fishes miracle or an alabaster ointment jar of Mary Magdalene used for washing Jesus the feet. The new-implemented cross was removed after the Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople in 1453. The column have been listed as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.

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The Cemberlitas Column by istanbul turkey.co.uk