Estanbul 2010

It was built in 393 during the reign of Theodosius I, as the largest square in the city. A gigantic victory arch used to stand in the middle of the square which was called the Bull’s Square (Forum Tauri) because of the large bronze bull’s head there.

Photo by Niyazi Uğur Genca

There was a bronze statue of the emperor on the arch. Today, only a few marble blocks remain of the arch itself, but nothing remains of the monumental fountains which were to the north of the square. They used to be the largest fountains in the city then, and the Aqueduct of Valens used to supply water to them. The buildings of the University of Istanbul occupy the large courtyard on the grounds where the Conqueror had built a palace. The monumental gate and the tallest tower in the city, the Bayezid fire-lookout tower, which stands in the gardens of the University, were built in the 19th century. The Bayezid Mosque and its complex (school and baths) are the main buildings around the square.