Each great metropolis should have its own grand avenue that would form not only the main axis of the transportation but also a space where great events and processions can be celebrated. It was also the case of ancient Constantinople with its Mese, from the Greek word "Middle". It connected the very centre of the city, starting at the Milion monument, the zero-mile marker for the East Roman Empire, very close to Hagia Sophia. The Mese then followed in a perfectly straight line in the westward direction, connecting the main forums of the city, first the Forum of Constantine, next to the Forum of Theodosius, and then branching off in two directions.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Istanbul: "Byzantine Secrets of Istanbul".

The stadium of Ephesus is located just to the south of the Vedius Gymnasium, in a depression near the Pion Hill. This was the place where celebrations of all kinds were held, including sports events, chariot races, and gladiatorial combats. Most probably, the first stadium in this location was erected in the Hellenistic times by king Lysimachus in 3rd century BCE. To create the stadium, an artificial cavity was dug into the ground, covering the area of 3.3 hectares. The surviving traces, the dimensions, and the elongated form of the structure allowed its early identification as a stadium, oriented along the east-west axis. This Hellenistic structure was rather simple with just a flat running track and earthen banks where the spectators could sit, situated at the southern side. It was then used for religious ceremonies and sports activities.

This text is a fragment of a guidebook to Ephesus: "The Secrets of Ephesus".