Serpent Column

The Serpent Column is what remains of an ancient bronze snake monument located at the Hippodrome of Constantinople in Istanbul. The column once featured three intertwined snakes, their jaws stretching open and supporting a golden tripod. This tripod, along with the heads and necks of all three snakes have since been lost, leaving only the column of their intertwined bodies that can be seen today.
The structure was built after the Battle of Plataea, which began in 479 BC and in which the Greeks defeated the Persians. The Serpent Column was erected next to the altar of Apollo at Delphi to commemorate the Greek states involved in the battle and, according to legend, was built using the bronze from the melted down weapons of the Persians.
The Serpent Column came to be in its current location mounted on the spina at the Hippodrome in Constantinople when Constantine the Great ordered its relocation in around 330 BC, along with several other ancient monuments.

Practical Info

The Serpent Column is located in the Hippodrome area of the city, opposite the Blue Mosque.