"Underground Cistern" Basilica Cistern - Yerebatan Saray Tip by Tom_Fields

Basilica Cistern - Yerebatan Saray, Istanbul: 105 reviews and 214 photos

  Entrance to the Cistern
by Tom_Fields
 
  • Entrance to the Cistern - Istanbul
      Entrance to the Cistern
    by Tom_Fields
  • Inside the cistern - Istanbul
      Inside the cistern
    by Tom_Fields
  • Rows of columns - Istanbul
      Rows of columns
    by Tom_Fields
  • Head of the Medusa, used in an earlier building - Istanbul
      Head of the Medusa, used in an earlier building
    by Tom_Fields
 

This 6th century cistern was originally built under the reign of the Byzantine emperor Justinian, to provice water for the city. But after the Ottoman conquest in 1453, it was covered over and forgotten.

In 1545, the Turks rediscovered it, and used it to provide water for Topkapi Palace, nearby. Today, it's one of Turkey's most unusual attractions, with rows of ancient columns, soft lights shimmering on the surface of the water, and classical music in the background. It has a small cafe where one can soak up the unique ambiance of this place. Look closely, and you can see parts of earlier temples and palaces which were re-used to construct the columns.

Directions: Just west of Hagia Sofia.
Website: http://www.istanbultravelguide.net/undergroundcistern.htm

Review Helpfulness: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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  • Written Feb 15, 2010
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