Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
If you are planning to travel to Istanbul and are looking for a beautiful place in this city, we suggest you visit the Basilica Cistern, one of the city’s most amazing attractions. This complex is the largest water tank in Istanbul, eye-catching and spectacular due to its unique design and decorations. The Basilica Cistern remains a main destination for many tourists, primarily because of its many columns. This article introduces you to this historical place and its features.
History of the Basilica Cistern
There are more than 80 underground reservoirs in Istanbul, and the Basilica Cistern is the largest and most beautiful. Located in the heart of Istanbul, it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. This unique tourist attraction is situated in the Sultan Ahmed neighborhood, directly opposite the Hagia Sophia Museum, allowing visitors to see both places in one day. The Basilica Cistern dates back to 526-565 AD and was built during the Byzantine Empire under the order of Justinian I. It is named “Basilica” because it was built on the site of a former basilica, which means “church” in Greek.
Despite enduring many adversities, such as fire and riots, the Basilica Cistern still attracts the attention of tourists and lovers of history and art. This resilience is due to its many columns and the type of architecture used in its construction. Notably, almost 7,000 slaves were used to build this historical structure, according to the texts carved into it.
Features of the Basilica Cistern
Some people might think such places are not worth visiting, but seeing its vastness and beauty can captivate anyone. Here are some interesting features and specifications of the Basilica Cistern:
- Dimensions: The reservoir is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide.
- Columns: It boasts 336 strong pillars, each 9 meters high, arranged in 12 rows with a distance of 50 cm between them.
- Brick Floor: The floor is made of bricks.
- Movie Scenes: The location has been featured in many movie scenes.
The Legend of Medusa
Among the many features of the Basilica Cistern is the strange design of two of its columns, which refer to the old legend of Medusa. According to this legend, Medusa was a girl with black eyes, long hair, and a well-shaped body who fell in love with Perseus, the son of Zeus. Athena, who also loved Perseus, turned Medusa’s hair into snakes, and anyone who looked at Medusa would turn into a monstrous figure. To avoid this curse, the design of two columns was altered so that no one’s eyes could meet Medusa’s gaze.
Additional Attractions and Features
- Stairs: Visitors must descend 52 steps to reach the cistern.
- Water Capacity: The reservoir holds about 100,000 tons of water and covers an area of nearly 1,000 square meters.
- Presence of Fish: Fish were introduced to the reservoir to detect potential poisoning by enemies.
- Rebuilding: The main facade of the reservoir has undergone changes due to renovations, with efforts to minimize damage to the original building.
- Cafe: There is a cozy cafe with a great design where visitors can enjoy drinks while taking in the beauty of the cistern.
Visiting Information
A fee is charged for visiting the Basilica Cistern. Payment is accepted only in cash, and children under 8 can visit for free.
Fascinating Facts About the Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern has not only attracted tourists but has also been a filming location for movies such as “James Bond,” “Inferno,” and “Brotherhood of Tears.” It has also featured in video games. Known as Yerbatan Sarai, meaning “sunken palace,” the cistern was discovered by a French scientist named Petros Julius. Unfortunately, the Ottoman authorities had turned it into a garbage dump, but it was later cleaned and transformed into a tourist attraction.
Conclusion
Many people choose Istanbul, Turkey, as their travel destination due to its proximity and other reasons. The Basilica Cistern is one of the largest and most famous reservoirs in the capital of Turkey. Visiting this dream place is highly recommended. Accessing the cistern is easy by vehicle, and visitors can enjoy a variety of hot and cold drinks at the cozy cafe located there. By seeing this attraction, you are sure to create happy memories. For more information, you can refer to the main page of the site and communicate with our colleagues.
As a Manolya Tour company, we would love to help you enjoy your trip while you are in Istanbul. We also have tours like Bosphorus tours by Boat, Bosphorus Lunch Cruise, Dolmabahce Palace Morning Tour, Canoeing in Istanbul, Istanbul Private Tour, Private Yacht Tour in İstanbul, Istanbul Old City Tour, Turkish Dinner Cruise, Cappadocia Horse Riding Tour, Hot Air Balloon Tour, Airport Transfer , Istanbul Tours, Cappadocia Tours, Bursa Tours, Pamukkale Tours, Antalya Tour and more.
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