Column of Constantine

View looking south at what remains of the "Column of Constantine."  This column was constructed in the Forum of Constantine to commemorate the dedication of the city as the new capital of the Roman Empire on May 11, 330.

It is constructed of drums of porphyry and today is 115 feet tall.  Originally it had a large statue of Constantine.  The statue fell down around AD 1106 and was eventually replaced by a cross.

The column has gone through numerous repairs over the centuries—note that the masonry base and the iron hoops that help support the column today.