Basilica Cistern
Basilica The Cistern, built beneath the Stoa Basilica, is Istanbul's giant cistern. It is a stunning piece of architecture with hundreds of ornamented columns. Only a few feet of water are in the cistern now, but platforms have been constructed above it so visitors can properly explore.
One of Turkey's antique water cisterns is the Basilica Cistern. The Hen's Eye Column and the Medusa Pillar Bases are two fascinating attractions that make it an ideal example of Byzantine architecture. Purchase tickets for the Basilica Cistern here to benefit from skip-the-line access and guided tours.
Overview of Basilica Cistern
| Location | Turkey |
| Address | Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih, İstanbul, Turkey |
| Timings | Everyday (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) |
| Architectural styles | Byzantine architecture, Ancient Greek architecture |
| Google Map | - |
Highlights
- The Basilica Cistern is impressive due to its 336, 9-meter-high columns and two sculptures of the Medusa.
- Admire the column, shaped by peacocks, drooping branches, and tear reliefs and carvings, known as the "weeping column."
- The cistern's 336 columns give its architecture a distinctive look for visitors who wish to walk through it after descending a 52-step stone ladder.
- Explore the dark world of the Basilica Cistern, illuminated in the mid-16th century thanks to the Dutch traveler Petrus Gyllius.
Basilica Cistern Ticket Price
There is an entry fee for visitors. Below is the ticket price for the Basilica Cistern:
| Category | Fee |
| Adult | 20 Turkish Lira (TRY) |
| Children below 8 | No fee |
Recommended For
The Basilica Cistern is exciting and mysterious, attracting many travelers, such as solo travelers, friends, groups, and families. You can also visit here.
About Basilica Cistern
One of Istanbul's biggest and most well-known cisterns is the Basilica Cistern. Among the several cisterns, the Basilica Cistern is the most significant and accessible to the general public. It is located on a famous peninsula that is also the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia sites. The notorious Byzantine Emperor Justinian I erected the building in 542, and it served as the palaces' water supply.
Millions of tourists visit the Basilica Cistern yearly since it is a well-known historical location. It covers an area of 9,800 square meters and is roughly 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. The large cistern is 4.8 meters away, 9 meters long, and has 336 columns.
The columns differ from one another. The two Medusa heads are the Basilica Cistern's most notable feature. The two heads resembled magnificent Roman architecture and are thought to have come from a well-known ancient structure. The two heads, situated on the cistern's northwest side, serve as the bases for two pillars.
It could store 80,000 cubic meters of filtered water that could be delivered to First Hill's critical structures, like the Great Palace of Constantinople. After substantial restorations by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Basilica Cistern was made public to visitors in 1987. The impressive marble pillar structure, often called the Subterranean Palace, is a popular tourist destination.
Interesting Facts about Basilica Cistern
- Measuring approximately 453 feet by 212 feet, the cistern was initially built by Emperor Constantine and was enlarged by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I around 532 AD.
- Basilica Cistern is a subterranean wonder and one of Istanbul's great and biggest surviving Byzantine antiquity sites.
- Due to its imposing columns, grand scale, and eerie atmosphere, the Basilica Cistern appears to be a flooded palace, even though it is simply a former water storage chamber.
- The Grand Palace and the city of Byzantium received water from the cistern. About 80,000 cubic meters of water can be stored there.
- You'll find the cistern on Turkey's ancient Sarayburnu peninsula, 150 meters southwest of Hagia Sophia.
- The Church Cistern gets its name from the basilica that once stood on the square under which it is located, which was known as Stoa Basilica.
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FAQS About Basilica Cistern
Ans: The Basilica Cistern was initially used as the hub for politics, trade, and the arts throughout the Early Roman Period. However, the architectural wonder started to be used for water storage and provision once Emperor Justinian rebuilt it. It had a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters and received water from a reservoir near the Black Sea via 20 km of aqueducts. The Great Palace of Constantinople and numerous other buildings on First Hill received filtered water from the cistern. The Basilica Cistern kept supplying water to the city's residents even after the Ottoman Conquest.
Ans: While the entrance price for adults is 20 Turkish Lira (TRY) or INR 238 per person, children under the age of eight can enter the Basilica Cistern for free. Also must be considered by visitors because the attraction does not accept the Istanbul Museum Pass. kindly keep in mind that these prices are subject to change.
Ans: You can visit the Basilica Cistern in 30 minutes.
Ans: The timings for Basilica Cistern is from 09:00 a.m to 07:00 p.m.