During the Ottoman Empire, archery was a highly developed sport.
The Turks were renowned for their ability to conduct warfare on horseback using bows and arrows.
A similar target area was later set up by Sultan Bayezid I in Gallipoli.
At some point, the Okmeydan area was also used for military exercises and even as an army camp.
Over time, Okmeydan also became the preferred location for festivities and celebrations.
The goal of the latter was to shoot an arrow as far as possible.
The shots were taken in the direction of the prevailing wind that day.
Nisan tas were mostly made of marble and shaped like pillars.
Over time, archery competitions were joined by rifle shooting competitions.
In these events, chicken eggs, ostrich eggs, and jars filled with water were used as targets.
Nisan tas were also erected to celebrate records obtained with the rifle.
It was erected by Sultan Mahmud II.
The foot stone of this shooting stone also remains and is located in the Piyalepasa mahalle.
The distance between the two stones is 1,215.5 gez, or 738.31 meters.
Aiming Stone of Sultan Mahmud II at Okmeydani, Istanbul.
