(day 6) Cemberlitas Column, aka Constantine's Column

Binbirdirek Cistern was a solid C+, so, emboldened by my mediocre success, I went searching for some more Cs: Constantine's Column, AKA Cemberlitas Column. (AKA Burnt Column, AKA Porphyry Column, but those don't fit the C theme as well).

But first, a McDonalds. McDonalds here have these awesome soft serve takeout windows. You can get a walk-by soft serve. WE NEED THIS FOR SUMMER.

Well I guess we don't because nobody walks.

How funny, I just realized that this is like the modern day version of those refreshments kiosks from the Ottoman times. Tired pedestrians passing by get passed a refreshment through a window, and these drinks are so inexpensive they're basically free!

So. *clears throat*. Constantine's Column.

It was erected as the centerpiece of Constantine's Forum, to celebrate the relocation of the empire's capital to Constantinople. It was originally from the Temple of Apollo in Rome and had a statue of Apollo at the top, but Constantine changed it a statue of himself made up like Apollo when he had it moved over here (arrogant, huh?).

This column seriously has 9 lives. It has been blown over by the wind, struck by lightening, survived multiple sackings of the city, fires, earthquakes, pretty much any natural disaster you can think of.

The name Burnt Column came from the giant scorch marks it received during the fires, Cemberlitas means "the wall with rings", referring to the numerous iron rings binding the column together (it's actually made up of small column chunks).

Perhaps the reason it has survived so long is due to the supposed relics that are buried at the base of the column. Rumor has it that the baskets from the loaves and fishes miracle, an alabaster ointment jar belonging to Mary Magdalene, among other objects, are hidden there.

It does look pretty beat up.

A person, for scale.