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Underground Cistern, Istanbul

Home → Istanbul, Turkey → Underground Cistern, Istanbul

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Rating: 5.0/5 (8910 votes cast)

This is also known as the Yerebatan Sarayı, or Underground Cistern, Istanbul. It was originally constructed by that great builder, the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, on a site to be near the old palace. It was also known as the Basilica Cistern. It is one of the biggest of the Byzantine cisterns, being 140 metres by 70 metres (154 by 77 yards). It has no less than 336 columns, each 8 metres (about 26,5 it) high.

As in the equally famous Thousand and One Columns, no part of the pillars have remained in the ground. It is the only one of the old Byzantine cisterns which still contains water, which is brought from the reservoirs in the Forest of Belgrad. Electric light has been installed and it is possible to go for a row in it in a boat. It is one of the most impressive of all Byzantine remains, a fitting offset to the wonderful building of Justanian nearby, Aya Sofya, that is, Hagia Sofia.

Continuing from the Underground Cistern, Istanbul in the  direction  of the trams, we come to Hagia Sofya Place with the Aya Sofya Museum. To the south of the Museum is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet. Here too we see the Obelisk and the Hippodrome Place, the Atmeydani, to-day the Place of Sultan Ahmet. And then, on the north side, there is the old Church of St. Irene, the Palace of Topkapi, the Topkapi Museum, the Museum of the Ancient East, the Archaeological Museum and the Tile Kiosk.

Istanbul Travel Guide

  • Bosphorus, Istanbul
  • Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
  • Dolmabahce Palace, Istanbul
  • Etz Ahayim Synagogue
  • Galata Tower, Istanbul
  • Golden Horn
  • Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
  • Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
  • Hippodrome, Istanbul
  • Istanbul Archaeology Museum
  • Istanbul Jewish Cemetery
  • Neve Shalom Synagogue, Istanbul
  • Spice Bazaar, Istanbul
  • Suleymaniye Mosque Istanbul
  • Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
  • Underground Cistern, Istanbul
  • Zulfaris Synagogue
  • Beylerbeyi Palace
  • Rumelihisari (Fortress)
  • Camlica Hill
  • Bosphorus Bridge
  • Istanbul Mosaic Museum
  • Church of the Holy Apostles
  • Eyup Mosque and Mausoleum
  • Beyazit Camii
  • Fatih Camii
  • Fethiye Camii “Pammakaristos Church”
  • Hagia Eirene
  • Orthodox Patriarchate and Cathedral
  • Sts Sergius and Bacchus
  • Yeni Camii
  • Zeyrek Camii “Church of the Pantocrator”
  • Prince’s Islands
  • Mosque of Rustem Pasha
  • Galata Bridge
  • Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts
  • Miniatürk
  • Istanbul Modern Museum
  • Galata Mevlevihanesi
  • Pierre Loti
  • Istanbul, Turkish Baths
  • Walk through Istiklal Street
  • Tunnel
  • Military Museum
  • Port of Istanbul
  • City Walls of Istanbul
  • Maiden’s Tower
  • Harem
  • Tofre Begadim Synagogue
  • Yıldız Park
  • Bulgarian St. Stephen Church
  • Ahrida (Ohrid) Synagogue, Istanbul
  • Ashkenazi Synagogue, Istanbul
  • Balat, Istanbul
  • Blue Mosque, Istanbul
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Rating: +9188 (from 9188 votes)
Underground Cistern, Istanbul, 100% based on 9188 ratings
88 Reviews
  1. Aki Hoshino
    11:16 pm on April 2, 2013

    Don't miss it; You won't see something similar anywhere else. Great lights, fresh temperature, silent ambiental music. Calm and magical.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Guerrero
    6:12 pm on May 22, 2013

    Was recommended to go here by a friend and it was well worth it. Perfect setting for a Dan Brown novel I guess.

    Reply
  3. Andrés A
    10:48 pm on July 13, 2013

    Incredible place in the middle of an ancient city, with lots of history. not enough signs to reed and understand that amazing place. definetly worth a visit!!

    Reply
  4. b.Bermudo
    9:08 am on October 18, 2013

    Even with long lines to get in, the lines do move rather rapidly. I have to say that I don't know anywhere else you can see Medusa's head which in this atmosphere between a sea of columns in darkness adds an element of magic and mystery.

    Reply
  5. Jesica Cirio
    9:06 pm on October 29, 2013

    We loved visiting the cistern and were surprised to see fish in the water. The structure is very interesting from an engineering perspective. I was particularly interested having just finished the Dan Brown book INFERNO. The Medusa sculptured columns were great.

    Reply
  6. G.Nova.2013
    2:28 pm on October 31, 2013

    You'll be amazed by its dimensions and architecture – it was built and used at a time when you wouldn't imagine such buildings could be made. The atmosphere inside it's nice and romantic.

    Reply
  7. Davis.e.d
    6:31 pm on November 21, 2013

    It doesn't take long to visit this site, but it's a fascinating example of ancient architecture and engineering. Totally worth the visit.

    Reply
  8. Dario Fonetlli
    10:14 pm on November 22, 2013

    An awesome place to visit. Everyone should go visit this while in Istanbul. You need to read the new Dan Brown book Inferno before you go. It will make it much more interesting.

    Reply
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ephesus tours

The big tip is to try and go completely private. Many of the large tour companies offer private tour and they are going to charge a significant amount of money for the tour guide. However, many locations offer self-guided tours and therefore you have the ability to supply your own tour guide. Easily Book your guided private Ephesus tours, to see all the treasures of Ephesus Turkey. It's often said that Turkey has more ancient cities and classical ruins than does Greece. Well, it's true, and the Aegean coast holds a great number of sites, including Ephesus, the grandest and best-preserved of them all.

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