Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, also known as the Sunken Cistern or the Sunken Palace.
I was very excited about my trip to Istanbul, the former Constantinople, a city whose history could outshine any other in the world. One of the landmarks that was high on my list of places to visit was the Basilica Cistern.
As planned, I managed to descend into this wonderful underground space, built during Byzantine times to store drinking water for the imperial palace. In the article below, I’ll tell you how to prepare for visiting the Underground Cistern and the best time to plan your visit. You’ll also find a wealth of interesting information, facts, and curiosities.
Basilica Cistern in Istanbul practical information and a handful of tips
Exploring the underground water reservoirs in Istanbul is an incredible experience, but you should remember that to make your visit enjoyable, proper preparation is key. The main issue, as you will likely discover, is the large number of tourists visiting this landmark every day, which is particularly noticeable in the long lines at the ticket counter.
So remember, if you want to avoid wasting time in line with other visitors, buy your ticket online. Not only will this save you time, but online tickets are often cheaper than those bought at the gate. Furthermore, consider purchasing a ticket that allows entry to other nearby attractions like Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque. If you’re planning to stay in Istanbul for several days, think about getting the Istanbul Tourist Pass, which grants access to over a hundred attractions throughout the city and beyond. I’ve used this pass many times and found it very convenient, as it also offers discounted public transportation tickets and eSIM internet access.
The Basilica Cistern is open throughout the week, with hours depending on the season. During the summer, you can visit from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the last entry at 6:00 PM. In winter, the Cistern is open one hour less, with the last entry at 5:00 PM. I recommend planning your visit as early in the day as possible to avoid the later crowds.
The entrance fee to the Basilica Cistern is around 20 euros, which includes an audio guide. It is also one of the attractions accessible for free with the Istanbul Tourist Pass, as mentioned above.
The Basilica Cistern is located just 100 meters from the Hagia Sophia Mosque and a bit further from the Blue Mosque, so it’s worth combining these visits. You can reach the site by taking tram line T1.
Remember that the massive chamber of the old reservoir is very humid and cool. The temperature difference between the inside and outside can be quite significant, especially on hot summer days, so it’s wise to bring a light jacket. More importantly, wear comfortable, secure footwear and be cautious, as it’s easy to slip on the damp floors.
Visiting the site should take around half an hour, although I stayed a bit longer to capture some good photos despite the many visitors. Sitting there underground, waiting for part of the crowd to clear my shot, I found myself dreaming of being one of those millionaires who can afford private tours. Apparently, Elon Musk paid for a private visit to the Cistern and even had dinner there afterward.
Basilica Cistern in Istanbul tour
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, visiting the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is a great pleasure and a wonderful experience. The fact that you can admire the work of architects from over fifteen centuries ago, which essentially still serves its original purpose—storing clean water—is truly incredible.
To reach the bottom of the cistern, you have to descend 52 stone steps, which are quite slippery, so be careful. Currently, there is only a small amount of water in the cistern, with levels ranging from several centimetres to a few dozen, depending on needs.
Inside, there are precisely 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows of 28 each. These columns are beautiful historical artefacts, as they were salvaged from various ancient Roman buildings scattered throughout Turkey. The exact origins of the columns are unknown, but most differ from one another enough to suggest they were brought in from across the empire, not just from the lands surrounding Constantinople. The columns are 9 meters tall, making the interior of the cistern feel immense.
Between the columns, walkways made of metal grating have been constructed, allowing visitors to move freely through the space and admire the craftsmanship of the ancient builders. Just imagine a vast stone chamber with a high vaulted ceiling supported by marble columns, which has survived centuries, even millennia, beneath a bustling, ever-changing city. When you compare this to modern buildings, which often require major renovations after only a few decades, it truly leaves an impression.
Medusa Head, Weeping Column, and Fish from the Sunken Cistern
Several elements within the stone reservoir deserve special attention, particularly the bases of two columns in the farthest part of the cistern. These are Medusa heads—figures from Greek mythology—carved in stone. Scholars believe these stones were used randomly as supports for shorter columns, yet legend suggests they were placed intentionally so that the ghastly visage would guard the precious interior.
Another unique feature is the “Weeping Column.” The name might be misleading, as it doesn’t refer to any supernatural appearance of tears on the stone but rather to the design on the column, adorned with patterns resembling tears. Urban legend says these designs represent the tears of enslaved workers labouring underground. A similar column stands in another part of the city, near the Grand Bazaar, symbolizing the tragedy of people who were traded there like mere animals.
The water in the cistern is remarkably clear, and, to my surprise, I spotted fish swimming in it. Centuries ago, fish were reportedly placed in the reservoir, serving a function similar to canaries in mines—they would be the first to show signs of poisoning if the water was contaminated.
Finally, have a close look at the remarkable ceiling of the Basilica Cistern and notice the glass sculptures scattered throughout the interior.
Basilica Cistern in Istanbul the history and history of the underground cistern
The idea to build an underground water reservoir near Hagia Sophia came from the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. This was neither the first nor the last underground cistern; over the centuries, quite a few were built, and today, more than a hundred similar water storage chambers still survive in Istanbul. Of course, the Basilica Cistern is the largest and, in my opinion, the most beautiful.
Construction began in 532, right after the Basilica of Saint Elijah was destroyed in the Nika uprising. It was an opportune moment to dig up this part of the then-bustling and overcrowded Constantinople. The project aimed to create a massive reservoir for drinking water to serve the nearby imperial palace. These were turbulent times with serious threats, and the rulers of Constantinople feared the city’s wells could be poisoned, so they decided to build their own reservoir.
The Basilica Cistern fulfilled its purpose, storing water for the imperial court until 1453 when the Turks conquered Constantinople. The new rulers stopped using water from the reservoir. First, they no longer feared enemy attacks, as there were no imminent threats, and second, they preferred fresh water from the aqueducts. The Basilica Cistern was sealed and forgotten for the next hundred years.
Over time, the cistern’s existence beneath the city became the stuff of legend, filled with dark demons. Parents would scare children by telling them that a horrible Medusa would crawl up from the depths under the city to snatch naughty boys and turn girls into deformed creatures. This continued until 1550, when a Dutch traveller and scholar, searching for Byzantine relics, arrived in Istanbul.
The Dutchman accidentally discovered the entrance to the underground reservoir when he saw people drawing water with buckets on ropes from a hole in the ground. Upon descending beneath the city, he saw the same thing that I, and likely you, will see when you visit Istanbul—a vast hall full of marble columns. He wrote about his discovery in the European press, sparking the interest of researchers and historians, especially from English universities.
Interest in Istanbul’s mysterious underground eventually faded, and the Basilica Cistern fell back into obscurity until World War I, when it was rediscovered by German sailors from submarines stationed in Istanbul’s port. The chamber was carefully measured, documented, and opened to tourists.
In the second half of the 20th century, the Basilica Cistern was renovated. Crumbling walls and ceilings were repaired, and some broken columns were replaced. The reservoir itself was cleaned, and walkways were installed. Initially, they were made of wood, but wood close to water proved to be a poor choice, so they were eventually replaced with steel grates, which visitors can still walk on today.
The Sunken Cistern in Cinema and Literature
The Basilica Cistern is such an extraordinary place that many creators and artists have chosen it as the backdrop for their stories. Examples include the film From Russia with Love with Agent 007, or Inferno, a film based on the book of the same title by Dan Brown. I have to admit that it’s great to see places in the cinema that you’ve seen in real life.
Basilica Cistern in Istanbul facts, information, and curiosities
- The Basilica Cistern is also known by other names; the Sunken Cistern, the Underground Cistern, the Jerebatan Palace, or the Sunken Palace.
- It was built in the 6th century on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian.
- Water was brought to the cistern by the Bozdogan and Malovaz aqueducts from a source in the Belgrade forests, located a dozen or so kilometres away.
- The Basilica Cistern is 143 meters long and 65 meters wide.
- The tank could store up to 100,000 cubic meters of water, enough to fill thirty Olympic-sized swimming pools to the brim.
- There are 52 steps leading to the bottom of the tank.
- The ceiling of the cistern is supported by 336 columns. They stand in 12 rows of 28 in each. Their height is 9 meters, and the distance between them is almost 5 meters.
- The columns were obtained from ancient Roman ruins. A large part of the columns are in the Doric style, and the rest in the Corinthian style.
- According to accounts, over 7,000 slaves worked on the construction of the cistern.
- Fish still swim in the water collected in the cistern.
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