The cavernous depths of the Basilica Cistern aka Yerebatan Sarayı, located in Turkey, beckon the visitors to delve into the architectural studies of the Byzantine Empire. Even if you are not a student of archeology or architecture, the Basilica Cistern has a magnetizing appeal to draw the visitors. The name of the cistern has been derived from its location beneath the Stoa Basilica, the place where water was stored for the Great Palace and bordering buildings. The cistern’s disuse in the consecutive years led to its oblivion.
In 1545, a scholar named Petrus Gyllius was told that they could get water from their basements and some of them also reported that they were also catching fish. He went in the basement of one of the homes and reached the cistern. His discovery went in vain when the Ottomans didn’t pay any attention to the upkeep of the underground palace. As a result, the cistern was restored several times. One of the major restorations took place in 1987, when the municipality of Istanbul not only cleaned the cistern, but paved a way for the visitors to access it. In May 1994, the cistern underwent a major cleaning.
The cistern was built using the ruins of the Pagan buildings, yet its symmetry is beyond measure. Descend the 52-step stone staircase to see the dark cistern. Do not miss two columns towards the northwest side of the cistern that rests upon the inverted head of Medusa. The column placed in the center has a teardrop design. The visitors tour the cistern by walking upon the elevated wooden platforms.
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Visit the cistern and marvel at the engineering technique used by the Byzantines. You can also get your photos clicked inside the cistern. There is a place inside the cistern where you can wear the traditional dresses and get your snaps clicked.
Basilica Cistern Location Map
Facts about Basilica Cistern
- The cistern was constructed in 532 by Justinian.
- The width and length of the cistern are 70 meters and 140 meters, respectively.
- 336 columns set in 12 rows support the roof of the cistern.
- When it was in use, it stored 80,000 cubic metres of water.
- The coordinates of the Basilica Cistern are 41.0081° N, 28.9778° E
Where is Basilica Cistern?
The Basilica Cistern is located in Yerebatan Caddesi 13 street. It is about 21.8 km away from the Airport Taksi, via Kennedy Cd. You can reach the museum via tram Sultanahmet, bus, or taxi.
Address: Alemdar Mh., Şeftali Sk No:6, Fatih, Turkey
Phone: +90 212 522 1259
Basilica Cistern Opening Hours
- The Basilica Cistern opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- On the first day of the religious holidays and on January 1, it opens at 2:00 p.m.
Basilica Cistern Tickets
The entry ticket for student costs £5.00. An individual ticket costs £10.00, while the ticket for foreign visitors is priced at £20.00. The cashier only accepts the Turkish Lira.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Turkey is the spring season. Visit the Basilica Cistern when the weather is idyllic. During the summers, the cistern is very cool in contrast to the heat outside.
Places of interest near the Basilica Cistern : Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, Pamukkale, Grand Bazaar, Suleymaniye Mosque, Temple of Artemis, and Turka Zoo.