The cisterns were built in such a way that the city has sufficient water reserves in case of enemy attacks. The one that interests us is also known under the name of "Palais Enfoui".

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The Basilica Cistern was built during the time of Justinian I (527-565) to supply the Byzantine palace with water. It was then located under a basilica, of which nothing remains today, but which gave it its name.

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It was to fill the cistern that the aqueducts of Valente (which still exist today) and Adriano were built. These aqueducts received water from the forests of Belgrade, about twenty kilometers from Constantinople.

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Inside the cistern

The Yerebatan cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı, its name in Turkish) is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. It is estimated that it could store around 100,000 m3 of water.

The Cistern Basilica has a total of 336 columns 9 meters high. The styles of the columns are very varied, since they were built from the old structures of various monuments.

The tourist walk is done through footbridges that overlook the water. These bridges were built at the end of the 20th century and before that people moved around the cistern by boat.

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The heads of Medusa

Among the 336 columns of the basilica, two have as their base a head of Medusa, this mythological figure who transformed the people who looked at her to stone.

There are different theories on the meaning of these heads inside the cistern, which you will discover during the tour.

Our opinion

The Basilica Cistern is a haven of peace in the heart of the bustling city of Istanbul: its subdued light, little background music and the freshness that emanates from it make it a most enjoyable visit.