attraction

Basilica Cistern

Vast underground cistern built by Justinian in 532 to store the city's water, the largest and best-known of the hundreds constructed.

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Basilica Cistern
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · licence

2 more photos

  • Basilica Cistern, photo 2 of 3
    Photo: unknown, woocut after Cornelius Loos (1686-1738) · Public domain · source
  • Basilica Cistern, photo 3 of 3
    Photo: Cistern_basilica_plan.png: Marsyas / *derivative work: Malyszkz ( talk ) · CC BY 2.5 · source · licence

Why go

It's a cathedral-like space with 336 richly decorated columns. Time was you explored in a little rowing boat, but tourist numbers have soared and water levels have dropped, so now you follow a boardwalk, with lights, piped music and art installations. It's sometimes a film location, and stages concerts. But the crowds rob it of atmosphere and you might prefer to seek out one of the less-visited cisterns.

Source: Wikivoyage

How to visit

Admission not confirmed. Check the hours and access before you travel.

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On these routes

  1. Istanbul: more of the See listIstanbul · 7 stops

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