The Million was a mile-marker erected in the early 4th century AD in Istanbul (then Constantinople). It marked the starting-place for measurement of distances for all the roads leading to the cities of the Byzantine Empire and had the same function as the Milliarium Aureum of Rome.

Indeed, when Emperor Constantine I the Great rebuilt the city of Byzantium to make it his new imperial capital, which he named Nova Roma, he deliberately copied many of the features of “Old Rome”, including this mIllion.

The domed building of the Million rested on 4 large arches.  It disappeared at the start of the 16th century and wasn’t discovered again until the 1960s, when excavations found partial fragments of it under houses in the area.

The remains have been erected as a column and signposts have been added as a modern version of the million.  There is a boardwalk around it for viewing and this has been decorated with the names of cities.

Linked to Which Way? and Signs, Signs.