The Basilica Cistern is an ancient cistern that is located under Istanbul, Turkey. It is the largest of several hundred such cisterns. It was built in the year 532 and used to store water. Today, it is open to the public and it one of the most popular attractions in Istanbul.
Near Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque
The basilica cistern is near Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, two of Istanbul’s most famous historic buildings. They are just a short walk from each other. You can easily find all three from the Sultanahmet stop on the T1 above ground train making public transportation available for your visit.
If you plan to visit the Basilica Cistern, make sure to come early. The cistern is very slippery and the atmosphere is damp. To avoid this, it is best to arrive at the museum before 3:30 p.m. On peak days, the line for admission may be long. Entrance fee was 20 Turkish Lyra at the time of this writing.
What To Expect Inside The Basilica Cistern
Walking through the Basilica Cistern is an interesting experience. There is a nice sturdy metal, non-skid, path throughout that is easy to follow. Creative displays throughout that make for very good pictures if you have a good camera on your phone. There is mood music playing in the background. There is also a musky smell that isn’t overpowering.
The whole path will be lined with other tourists trying to get that perfect selfie. Waiting for them to finish could take all day so don’t hesitate to do what you need to in order to get the shot you want and move on. The Basilica Cistern is a great place to escape the Istanbul heat in the warmer months.
Basilica Cistern Significance
The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground cistern that was once used by Byzantine emperors for water storage. It was also used during the Ottoman period.
The cistern is home to hundreds of columns, some of which are illuminated by amber lights. In addition, there are walkways above the water. As such, the Basilica Cistern is a popular destination for school groups and tourists.
Although the cistern has been open to the public since 1987, it has been under periodic repairs every year. During the Ottoman era, the cistern was closed to the public. This was due to the Great Schism, which split the Eastern and Western branches of the Byzantine Empire.
Two Medusa Heads In The Basilica Cistern
Two huge Medusa heads sit at the base of two columns at the northwest corner of the cistern. These are a great example of Roman period sculpture art. However, they are not the only thing to see here.
One of the things that makes the cistern fun to explore is its arrangement of columns. There are nine columns on each side, each a little over nine meters tall. Some of these columns are in the Corinthian style. Others are in the Dorian style.
Another feature of the cistern is the “weeping column”. This is a tear-shaped stone at the end of the cistern.
