The Serpentine Column (Burma Sütun)

After defeating the Persians at the battles of Salamis (480 BC) and Plataea (479 BC), the 31 Greek cities, by melting all the spoils that they obtained, made a huge bronze incense burner with three entwined serpents to be erected in front of the Apollo Temple in Delphi. Originally it was 8 m / 26.3 ft high, but today it is only 5.30 m / 17.4 ft. This column was brought here from Delphi by Constantine I in the 4th century. According to records, it stood in its place until the 16th century. It is not known what happened to the serpent heads afterwards. A piece from one of the serpent heads is kept in the Archaeological Museums of Istanbul today.

Categories

• Historical landmark

Special Interests

• Hippodrome
• If you have only one day in Istanbul
• Sultanahmet Area

Location