Underground Cistern (Basilica Cistern or Sunken Palace , Yerebatan Sarayi)
Underground Cistern, also known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman Era, is believed to have been constructed in 532 A.D. This cistern once used to provide water to the entire city of Istanbul. However, after the city was conquered by the Ottomans, this cistern was a forgotten past. It was only in 1545 when this cistern was re-discovered and used for providing water to the Topkapi Palace gardens.
Basilica Cistern (Sunken Palace)
Originally built by Constantine the Great, this underground water tank was enlarged in the 6th century by Justinian I. The cistern with a depth of 8 m. and dimensions of 70*140 m. is considered to be the last cistern built by Justinian I following the Nika Revolt in 532 A. D. during the Byzantium period. It has 336 columns in 12 rows
While visiting this beautiful place, you cannot miss to see the two heads of Medusa taken from some ancient pagan site and put upside down. While one head is inverted, the other is on its side. The position in which the heads of Medusa are placed affirms the fact that the people who put these heads here were Christians.
Some of the other names of this cistern are Sunken Palace and Yerebatan Sarayi. The cistern was restored again and cleaned during 1985-1988 by the Municipality of Istanbul. A wooden walkway is another addition to this cistern by the Municipality. Wooden planks laid down along the decorative columns in the cistern help the visitors to walk and enjoy the beauty of this place.
Now days, this cistern is a large chamber with a number of pillars to provide support. With addition of numerous artificial lights blinking rhythmically with piped in music and several walkways is one of the major tourist attractions in the city of Istanbul. Due to its magical and soul stirring ambience, the cistern is also being used as a venue for holding a number of Classical Music Concerts.
It is a beautiful and an interesting place to be included in your list of places to be visited in Istanbul. It is a cool and refreshing respite from the hot and humid weather outside during summers in Istanbul. Located just next to the famous Hagia Sofia, this Underground Cistern is best to be visited during the weekdays when there is less rush of visitors so that you can enjoy the magical atmosphere of this place.
You can visit the Yerebatan Cistern on all days from between 9 am to 5 pm except on Tuesdays when it is closed for visitors. You need to pay an entry fee of about $7 to $8 per person which is worth spending on visiting such a magical place.
