Serpent Column
The ancient Greek monument made of bronze depicting three intertwined python snakes, remaining from the Hippodrome (today's Horse Square) located in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district.
It is the oldest large-scale monument from Istanbul's classical period that has survived to the present day. The bronze column, 29 segments of which have survived to the present day, was erected in memory of the victory won by the Greek cities united against the Persian army in 479 BC and was erected at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi. It is believed that the work was brought to Istanbul by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD. It was believed to possess magical powers to protect the city from insects and reptiles. Only a 5-meter section has survived to the present day; the lower and upper parts are broken.
Two of the snake heads belonging to the Serpent Column are missing; the third head is in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
