The Basilica Cistern

5 min read

Istanbul is one of the most mysterious cities of Turkey. Istanbul is one of the world most popular cities with thousands of different structures. One of these is the Yerebatan Cistern. In other words, the Basilica Cistern was carefully built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. This underground wonder, also known as Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace), represents one of the greatest engineering achievements of the ancient world.

Historical Origins

The exact reason why the Byzantine emperor Justinianus I built this cistern is unknown, but there are different estimates. One of these estimates is that he does not want to put forth an immortal work on behalf of his wife. And it is also predicted that he designed this work perfectly in the memory of Theodora. According to very poor sources, I. Justinianus is jealous, and so it is thought that he killed his wife in these basilicas.

The more likely explanation is purely practical. Constantinople was a large city vulnerable to siege, and securing water supplies was essential for survival. The cistern could store enough water to supply the Great Palace and surrounding buildings during times when aqueducts might be cut.

Practical Purpose

It is understood that one of the reasons for taking the Bazilica Cistern is to meet the water requirement of the country. In other words, it can be considered as a dam. But this very luxurious structure has begun to be regarded as one of the most popular places for tourists.

Water was brought to the cistern through the Valens Aqueduct from the Belgrade Forest north of the city. The capacity of the cistern reaches approximately 80,000 cubic meters. After the Ottoman conquest, the cistern continued to water the palace gardens of Topkapi for some years, though it was eventually forgotten.

Architecture and Structure

The Basilica Cistern, one of the most important works of the Byzantine emperor Justinianus I. (527-565), resembles a perfect palace built with flat and shining marble. The Byzantine King had spent most of his time here. According to those who say, this is a structure far beyond a normal cistern.

And in many science fiction and history films, roles have been taken from this structure. And it is often associated with mysterious voices and creatures. According to a rumor, fish and other animals make a lot of noise here at night. And there are almost no security personnel able to withstand it. The James Bond film From Russia With Love and Dan Brown novel Inferno both feature scenes set in this atmospheric location.

Dimensions and Columns

Basilica Cistern, 140 m long. width 70 m. It is known as an extraordinary structure that covers a rectangular area.

This cistern with a 52-step stone ladder, 9 m. 336 in height.

The 336 columns, each 9 meters tall, are arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each. These columns were recycled from ruined temples and buildings across the empire, explaining the variety of styles visible. Corinthian, Doric, and Ionic capitals appear alongside each other, with many featuring carved designs.

The Medusa Heads

The most famous features of the cistern are two Medusa heads at the base of columns in the northwest corner. One is placed sideways, the other upside down. The reason for their positioning is unknown, though various theories exist. Some suggest the builders simply needed stone blocks of the right size and placed them without regard to orientation. Others see symbolic meaning in the positioning.

According to Greek mythology, looking directly at Medusa would turn the viewer to stone. The heads may have been placed here as protective symbols, or simply because they were convenient building materials. Whatever the reason, they have become the most photographed elements of the cistern.

Rediscovery

After falling out of use, the cistern was largely forgotten by the Ottoman population above. French scholar Petrus Gyllius rediscovered it in 1545 while researching Byzantine antiquities in Istanbul. He heard stories from local residents who could obtain fresh water by lowering buckets through holes in their basement floors.

Major restoration work in 1987 cleaned the cistern, installed walkways and lighting, and opened it to visitors. Further restorations have continued to preserve this unique space while making it accessible to the public.

Visitor Experience

Every year thousands of local and foreign tourists visit this wonderful palace. The inside of the Sarnic which creates extraordinary excitement creates an excellent ambience. If you want to see this mysterious cistern, hurry! You can believe it will be a great experience for you.

The modern visitor experience involves descending the stone stairs into the cool, humid underground chamber. Walkways allow visitors to move among the columns while soft lighting creates a dramatic atmosphere. Classical music often plays, enhancing the mysterious ambience. The reflection of columns in the shallow water that still covers the floor creates mirror images that add to the ethereal quality.

Practical Information

The cistern is located just steps from Hagia Sophia in the Sultanahmet district. It is open daily, though evening visits offer a particularly atmospheric experience. The underground temperature remains cool year-round, providing welcome relief from summer heat. Visitors should allow about 30 minutes to explore, though many find themselves lingering longer in this remarkable space.