The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)

By cerdoganmba

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Pillars of the cistern

Medusa head

The Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern, located South West of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.

This underground structure was known as the “Basilica Cistern” and provided water for the Great Palace of Constantinople. It continued to provide water to the Topkapi Palace after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and into modern times.

This cathedral-sized cistern is an underground chamber of 143 meters by 65 meters, capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters of water. The large space is broken up by a forest of 336 marble columns each 9 meters high.

Having been restored in 1985, the cistern is now a highly popular tourist attraction.


The cistern is in Sultanahmet Square. From the Ataturk airport, take the tram to Sultanahmet.

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Basilica_Cistern




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