Basilica Cistern Istanbul

Hagia sophia topkapi palace and baslica cistern from 49 28 istanbul old city.

Basilica cistern istanbul. According to tripadvisor travelers these are the best ways to experience basilica cistern. Today it is kept with little water for public access inside the space. After 1453 it was used with this function for a short while and was left useless when the ottoman architects built their own running water facilities around topkapı palace and istanbul. One of istanbul s splendid historical buildings is the basilica cistern located in the southwest of hagia sophia.

This large underground cistern built by byzantine emperor justinian i 527 565 was named as yerebatan palace ere among the people due to the marble columns rising from the water and countless seemingly like. Vip istanbul combo ticket. The cistern is especially known for the two medusa head columns. The cistern basilica is an oasis of calm in the middle of bustling istanbul.

Basilica yerebatan cistern was used to reserve water for the imperial palace and neighborhood residences of constantinople until its conquest by fatih sultan mehmet. Its soft lighting music in the background and refreshing cool coming from the water makes this an unmissable visit. It is also known as basilica cistern since there is a basilica in the place where the cistern is located. The cistern located 150 metres southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical peninsula of sarayburnu was built in the 6th century during the reign of byzantine emperor justinian i.

Basilica cistern medusa head column. The cistern is located only 150 metres southwest of the hagia sophia.