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Basilica Cistern

(Yerebatan Sarnıcı)

Historic and Protected Site and History Museum

Alemdar, Fatih

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Basilica Cistern

9.2^/10

5,557

ratings

"amazing shots of the columns"(17 Tips)
"much hyped about Medusa heads"(16 Tips)
"The Byzantine builders used the Roman relic as building material!"(9 Tips)
"6th century Byzantine architecture of emperor Justinian I. Watch"(5 Tips)

212 Tips and reviews

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Turkish AirlinesOctober 9, 2013
Make sure you check out the upside-down Medusa head which forms the bottom of one of the cistern’s columns. The Byzantine builders used the Roman relic as building material!
Shaileshwori SharmaJuly 22, 2016
Great (spooky) atmosphere that makes for magnificent photos & a coolness (literally) to match. The preservation of history is done remarkably. Tip: watch your step as some parts can be extra slippery.
Upvoted Mar 24
Rafael MarinAugust 16, 2015
It's one of the best places I visited in Istanbul. I reminded me of the last part of the Inferno novel. And don't leave without a Muslim costume picture!
Murat PurçApril 8, 2018
A worthwhile tourist attraction to visit in Istanbul is the ancient Basilica Cistern, the Sunken Palace with the snake-haired mysterious Medusa heads within.
Upvoted Mar 18
JamesMay 31, 2014
A tremendous attraction not on every guide book. An amazing feet of engineering, atmospheric and right next to Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque. Easy to fit it in along with the other two.
M Aldoss ♏January 11, 2015
Underground water tanks, it is kinda dark and witty. Amazing historical place to visit, it was not included in the museums pass. don't miss Medusa Big Stone at the backe.
Wladimir Coutinho MesquitaMay 6, 2018
Very intriguing ! Loved this place!
Varvara SolomatinaMarch 1, 2018
there’s not too much to see, but the atmosphere is trully unique. the dripping water and the pensive fishes, like forgotten souls. and second-hand columns. plus it’s not cheap
GysteriosaMay 6, 2019
Crowd makes it better cuz you can use others' flashes for your own photos.Medusa heads & crying column are must see in this eerie, dark place.Thrilling lament sounding music and cold air is here!
Avi .March 17, 2014
Other than the much hyped about Medusa heads, don't forget to check out this spot near the cafe - it looks amazing + the columns are different here !! .. ohhh and don't forget to feed the fishes !!
LolaLuluOctober 23, 2013
Beautiful and mysterious is Yerebatan Sarayi "Sunken Palace" It's the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, located 500 feet southwest of the Hagia Sophia
Levent ErtogluMay 18, 2019
Definetely must see in Istanbul old town. Used to be a water collection underground place. Dont miss crying column and medusa
Martin CopelandAugust 27, 2022
Post restoration looking fab but the light show is a bit strange, plunging everything into total darkness every few minutes. Get the skip the line tickets in peak times
Kenneth TiongAugust 24, 2012
You can safely skip getting the audio guide. There are 4 bits of audio. And two of them are start and end. It can hold 100k tons of water and the pillars are sourced from all over the roman empire.
Mark J.February 20, 2015
Very interesting cistern that used to supply water to the area. Hard to believe that it was forgotten and rediscovered. Check out the fish and the Medusas, and try not to think about Dan Brown!
Jetset ExtraAugust 8, 2015
Built by thousands of slaves in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern is a vast cathedral-like chamber with a forest of 336 carved marble columns symmetrically positioned. Read more
Burcu YatmazogluSeptember 2, 2018
The largest of the several hundred cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. The chamber able to hold nearly 80.000 cubic meters of water. The roof supported by 336 marble columns.Perfect instagram spot!
Jimmy JimmieJanuary 13, 2015
It is the oldest known water reservoir in Istanbul, a little earlier than the Basilica Cistern which was built during the reign of Justinian I in the 6th century. Read more
Ferhat DurannnDecember 24, 2014
During the Byzantine period , the city on the world marking the zero point used for calculating the distance and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is located at the side of " Milio 's Move '
FarokhApril 6, 2018
Don't forget about this hidden gem in your visit from istanbul
Ali DaylanJanuary 25, 2015
An original museum. Of course it cannot offer more than history :) Entrance fee is low. No need for an audio guide, there is enough explanation around.
The TelegraphNovember 20, 2012
Begin your day in the subterranean depths of the Basilica Cistern, a 1,500-year-old building supported by 336 columns. Don’t miss the twin blocks carved into snake-haired Medusas.
Serhii LutskoMay 6, 2018
Well, those cisterns were fine. I was expecting more but still feel like everyone need to see them especially due to the history how and why it was built. 20 liras price is a bit high, but acceptable
Doc EmerJanuary 6, 2017
Look for the Medusa statues. Bring a camera with a night mode. A great place for romance if you have a prospective date. Not for people with nightblindness.
Alex Lazo VasquezMay 19, 2015
Walk all the way to the medusa head, very interesting spot. Oh, and read Inferno by Dan Brown ;)
Otel.comDecember 23, 2013
There is an upside down Medusa here. It is believed that the people who placed the stone believed if the head was upside down, it would ward off evil spirits.
FilmsquareOctober 31, 2013
James Bond and Kerim Bey punt under the Basilica Cistern in From Russia with Love (1963) to spy on a Russian Consulate meeting above with a periscope.
The Ritz-CarltonJune 14, 2011
The 336-column, 1,000-square-metre Basilica Cistern is flooded with history… and 80,000 cubic metres of water. No wonder it took a starring role in the Bond film From Russia With Love.
Yasaman RahmaniNovember 20, 2015
Its a marvelous place to keep quiet for some time, listen to the sound of water and the big fish exhaling softly through years. Its such an experience.
Sajad NozariJuly 14, 2017
Great place, Remarkable atmosphere, Slippery passages; watch your steps.
✨#IamRomdelacrème✨September 27, 2013
After hundreds of yrs this cistern w 25 ft of water was drained to 1 ft. It was discovered that Medusa's head was used to support 2 columns! Though sideways & upside down, she survived! Come find her!
Ant PhongpandechaApril 22, 2014
Dear photographers, if you guys want your photographs to be perfect, bring a tripod. With tripod, you don't need a high number ISO. It's not necessary to bring a flash, but you can if you want to.
Carl GriffinJanuary 1, 2016
The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Made up of 336 columns and can hold up to 80000 cubic metres of water.
Nidal .December 10, 2015
Audio guide isn't necessary... A very good place to be, well located near aya sophia. Don't miss the ottoman photo cession dowstairs.
Christoph LöhrDecember 8, 2014
It's cold, it's dark and sometimes there's even some water dripping onto your head. Yet the Cistern is one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul.
Grace NgJuly 27, 2015
The cistern and there is a cute dress up photo opportunity which you can buy the picture afterwards
Asif KMarch 28, 2013
The 336-column, 1,000-square-metre Basilica Cistern is flooded with history… and 80,000 cubic metres of water. No wonder it took a starring role in the Bond film From Russia With Love.
Michel PercanAugust 6, 2015
Astonishing remains of the 6th century Byzantine architecture of emperor Justinian I. Watch out for slippery floor near Medusa heads.
Aleksandr MalkinSeptember 3, 2016
It's one of the most unusual attractions in the world. May be crowded. Must see.
Bianca BuenoAugust 11, 2014
Incredible place! it's more about the ambiance, the visual and it's history. If you are waiting for pretty things to see, that's not your place.
Hao TranMay 18, 2013
Skip the hour long queue at the Hagia Sophia, and visit here for a cheaper and cooler experience. By cooler I mean both temperature and history.
Turkish AirlinesOctober 21, 2011
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) is a historic water cistern constructed by the Byzantine Empire. Engraved decorations exist over some of its 336 columns. It has a capacity of 80.000 m3 water.
İbrahim BükerApril 11, 2015
If u visit Istanbul u really should come here at least one time cause i don't think u saw any place similar to this one. İstanbuldaysanız mutlaka gitmeniz gereken yerlerden birisi. Atmosferi mükemmel.
Alia AlsharifMay 15, 2015
You need to visit it it will not take much of your time just 1 h if it's not too busy get the audience it will help you to understand the place 🔊
DHR.comFebruary 9, 2012
There are many ancient cisterns beneath Istanbul, and this is the largest one. Bulit in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern is where you'll find the two columns carved with Medusa's image.
Rocio VelazquezMarch 5, 2015
Visit the Basilica Cistern is a must if you visit Istanbul, remember to walk to Medusa heads that are the pillars of the fund.
BleysMay 6, 2013
I don't know why the Lord of the Rings fans need too see this awesome place, but for the Dune fans it's an absolute must, especially after seeing the movie
Tony XerriFebruary 25, 2023
Gorgeous and historical. Lots to see and if you collect all the coins from the water you may end up retiring.
Akshay PatilJuly 30, 2015
Watch "From Russia With Love" before your trip -- the movie features scenes in the Cistern shot a few decades before the space was opened to the public.
Lindsey MarleeSeptember 5, 2014
Go early in the morning so it's not as crowded and you can get your money's worth. Also, it's 20TL not 10TL like most travel guides tell you

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