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Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

4.4

#3 of 5,972 in Things to do in Turkey

Architectural Building Ruin Must See

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Explore the largest of hundreds of ancient cisterns located below the city at Basilica Cistern. This fascinating chamber of the underground water systems, commissioned in 532 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, is remarkable for its practical and artistic value. After a complete renovation in the 1980s, the cistern became one of the most popular tourist sites in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district. Walk along the wooden platforms beneath the dark, vaulted ceilings of this cathedral-sized cistern and see its famous Medusa-head pillar and Hen's Eye column. Put Basilica Cistern at the forefront of your travel plans using our Istanbul holiday planning website .

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Basilica Cistern Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

30,822 reviews

Google

4.5

• By Barrie L

  this was one of the main reasons for visiting Istanbul and it was ok but a little disappointing ok I am no expert (only ever seen it on films and so forth) but there wasn't much water to be seen if.....  more »

• By WanderingTurtles

  Interestingly enough, this was one of our favorite sites in Istanbul. It doesn't have a "wow factor" in our opinion, but was sufficiently unique and interesting to visit that it was preferable to...  more »

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Google

• By Yong Chieh Gooi

  Truly a wonderful, magnificent and inspirational place. A place to visit at least once in your life! How did they build this magnificent place underground holding the vital resource that is water? How did they dig such as place with huge numbers of columns to support the needs of the city of Constantinople? It’s truly amazing once you think about these and then imagine that this was built more than a thousand years ago. The place is beautiful, a sight to behold and a true masterpiece.

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• By Leon Shi

  A hidden place to visit. (to me) Famous by the book of Inferno by Dan Brown. Wise to attend a guided tour to know more about the history and some interesting stories of the cistern. Otherwise it’s just a gigantic and hollow basement. My daughter was very obsessed about the stone carving of Medusa’s head and its fascinating story.

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