Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern is one of Istanbul’s most fascinating structures, hidden directly beneath the streets of Sultanahmet. It was built in 532 under Emperor Justinian I as part of Constantinople’s water supply system. With an area of almost 10,000 square metres and a capacity of around 80,000 cubic metres of water, it was a technical masterpiece of its time. On entering, a walkway leads through a mysterious underground world of water, light and stone. A total of 336 marble columns support the mighty vaults. Many of these columns came from older Roman temples and were reused. Particularly famous are the two Medusa heads at the back of the cistern, which serve as column bases and still puzzle historians about their origin. The dim lighting, the reflections in the water and the monumental columns give the cistern a unique atmosphere that instantly transports visitors to another age. For centuries the structure was almost forgotten and was only rediscovered by European travellers in the 16th century. Today it is one of the city’s most visited sights and has served as a backdrop for numerous films and documentaries. The Basilica Cistern shows impressively how advanced Byzantine engineering was. A visit offers a completely different perspective on Istanbul, far from domes and minarets. Anyone who wants to understand the city should not only look at its skyline but also descend into the hidden world beneath its streets.