Million Stone Istanbul's Historical MilestoneHistory

Million Stone Istanbul's Historical Milestone

By SU Magazin / 2024-06-03

The Million Stone is a historical monument located in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, which is considered to be the starting point of the roads extending from Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, to Anatolia and Syria. Erected in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine I, this monument maintained its importance during the Byzantine Empire and became one of the symbols of Constantinople, the capital of the empire.

History of the Million Stone

The Million Stone was considered to be the starting point of the roads from Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, to Anatolia and Syria.

The stone was inscribed with inscriptions showing the distances to various cities of the Roman Empire.

The Million Stone maintained its importance during the Byzantine Empire and became one of the symbols of Constantinople, the capital of the empire.

The stone survived during the Ottoman Empire, but was damaged during road works in the 19th century and reached its current appearance.

Architecture of the Million Stone

When the Million Stone was first built, it consisted of a gate facing in four directions and a dome resting on four columns, rising above the roads that intersected at this point.

This monument was called the "Tetrapylon" and had an important place in Roman culture.

Today, only one column and the pedestal on it remain from the Million Stone.

Importance of the Million Stone

The Million Stone has an important place in the history of the Roman and Byzantine Empires.

The stone was a symbol of the empire's borders and the importance of its capital.

Today, the Million Stone is one of the most important historical and touristic places in Istanbul.

Transportation

You can reach the Million Stone by tram, bus or metro.

The nearest tram stop is Sultanahmet.

The nearest bus stops are Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern.

Visiting Hours

Million Stone is open 24 hours a day, every day.

Entrance is free of charge.

Visiting the Million Stone

The best time to visit the stone is early in the morning or late in the evening when there are fewer crowds of tourists.

There are many historical and tourist attractions around the stone. Therefore, you can plan your visit to the Million Stone to include a visit to these places.

It may be useful to have a magnifying glass with you to read the inscriptions on the stone.

By staying at Sura Hotels; you can easily reach the Million Stone and other historical attractions. You can discover the historical and cultural richness of Istanbul. You can have a comfortable and pleasant accommodation experience. You can visit https://surahotels.com/ website to make a reservation at Sura Hotels.