According to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. Beneath istanbul lie hundreds of gloomy byzantinecisterns. Built around 500 ad, this was meant to store water for the. The basilica cistern is the largest of the ancient cisterns in istanbul and was built in the sixth. Book your tickets online for basilica cistern, istanbul.
It is supported by 336 columns and many carp and goldfish swim around the. There are hundreds of ancient cisterns under the city and this one is the largest. Basilica cistern is an underground cistern built by the late roman or early byzantine emperor justinian the great in constantinople during the 6th century. It stands on a triangular peninsula between europe and asia founded on the sarayburnu promontory around 660 bc as byzantium, the city now known as istanbul has become one of the most important cities in history for nearly sixteen centuries following its reestablishment with. It wasnt until 1987, however, thanks to a clean up by the istanbul metropolitan municipality, that istanbuls visitors would be allowed to see what petrus gyllius had found over 400 years previously. The cistern, which has 224 columns in it and has a total size of 3584 square meters, served as a workshop since the 16th century after drying. Istanbul private halfday tour hagia sophia, basilica cistern. Discover basilica cisterns of istanbul in istanbul, turkey.
Istanbul is the largest city in turkey, as well as the countrys economic, cultural, and historic heart. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey stock photo image of. It is called the basilica cistern, because of its presumed location underneath the roman ilius basilica which stood here. Jan 14, 2016 the basilica cistern the largest surviving cistern in istanbul was thus rediscovered and back on the map. The largest and the grandest of them all is the basilica cistern, so called because it lay beneath the stoa basilica, a large byzantine public square. After some research between basements of local residents, gyllius discovered main access to the cistern. I spent a total of 40 minutes down in the cistern enjoying the cool air and occasional drops of water from the ceiling. It covers an area of 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. Basilica cistern provided water storage during roman times in istanbul, turkey, then known as constantinople posted on january 10, 2014 by barbara weibel 8 comments. It is the largest surviving underground cistern of istanbul. Basilica cistern cistern, istanbul, turkey britannica.
The basilica cistern ticket prices are reasonable but if you buy tickets for basilica cistern in advance from our ticketing section you can simply skip on lines and fast forward to the attraction immediately. The 10 best basilica cistern yerebatan sarayi tours. The pictures that are taken for different angles are later combined using a computer to form a full. The sunken cistern is an ancient water reservoir built during the 5th century on the site of what used to be a famous basilica. Apr 04, 2016 when istanbul was constantinople during the period of the great roman, and later byzantium empire, hundreds of subterranean cisterns were built underneath the streets and houses to store water. Theodosius cistern, a witness to istanbuls long history.
The basilica cistern, also known as the sunken palace or yerebatan sarayi in turkish, was constructed by justinian in 532 to supply water to the byzantine palace primarily. Known locally as yerebatan sarayi meaning sunken palace or yerebatan sarnici sunken cistern, this underground water cistern was the major water reservoir of constantinople. The cistern, located 500 feet 150 m southwest of the hagia sophia on t. The incredible basilica cistern of istanbul when istanbul was constantinople during the period of the great roman, and later byzantium empire, hundreds of subterranean cisterns were built underneath the streets and houses to store water.
The grandest of all is the basilica cistern yerebatan sarn. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul, turkey. It has to do with the really odd way of getting into it. And now after more than 1,500years of its eminent existence, the eastern roman infrastructural ambit is also set to undergo restoration through an ambitious 450day project to be conducted by hera restoration. Upside down medusa statue at the underground cistern of istanbul. Mar 09, 2015 nicknamed yerebatan sarayi, or the sunken palace in turkish, it is known in english as the basilica cistern because of its location on the site of an ancient basilica. In some, like the great basilica cistern near hagia sophia called by the turks the yerebatan underground palace, old material was reused. Apr 27, 2018 after the basilica cistern and cistern of philoxenos, the theodosius cistern has been added to the list. The cistern has 336 marble columns in ionic or corinthian styles, which are 9 meters in length. The cistern has the capacity to store 100,000 tons of water, despite being virtually empty today with only a few feet of water lining the bottom. The basilica cistern yerebatan saray is a subterranean wonder and one of the greatest and certainly the biggest of istanbuls surviving byzantine sites. The largest and the grandest of them all is the basilica cistern, so called because it lay beneath the stoa. Theyre left from the days when istanbul was constantinople.
Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey location, facts, history. This amazing ancient water tank is impressive not just because of its planning, engineering and implementation, but also because it has lasted some 1,500 years. You can visit the underground cistern either with our one day. The cistern is located at the sultanahmet square, when you are about to reach the sultanahmet square on the right bank you will see the basilica cistern.
There is an entrance fee varying for local and foreign visitors, so you can check the most recent fee on how much it is to visit basilica cistern on istanbul. Beautiful yet eerie, basilica cistern yerebatan sarayi isnt your average underground well. Subterranean cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey. Sunken palace or basilica cistern istanbul, turkey flickr. The citys most unexpectedly romantic attraction, it offers an interesting insight into the complicated system that once brought drinking water into istanbul from thrace. Sunken cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey. Being the largest of istanbul, the basilica cistern, yerebatan sarn. The basilica cistern has undergone several restorations since its foundation. Photo source it may be pointed out that the name of this cistern is derived from the fact that it stands under the site where a roman basilica a large, open, public building where business or legal transactions could be carried out once stood. Istanbuls constantinople 6th century basilica cistern. The basilica cistern is also called the sunken cistern, and it is found in istanbul, turkey. The basilica cistern was given its name for the reason of being located under the stoa basilica. It is the largest covered cistern in istanbul, dating back to the roman times.
Basilica cistern istanbul this is a huge underground water cistern that was built in the 6th century. The cistern, located 150 metres 490 ft southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical peninsula of sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of. Istanbul in dan browns inferno hagia sophia, basilica. After a trip to the basilica cistern i found that it was an ideal shelter contradicting many conditions of the outside world. A marvel of byzantine engineering under the streets of istanbul. Basilica cistern is rediscovered again in 1545 by scholar petrus gyllius, who researches byzantine antiquities and was told by local residents that they were able to obtain water by lowering buckets into a dark space below their basement floors and even sometime catch the fresh water fish. Press f9 to get a list of the 3d sites you downloaded residing in the same directory. According to byzantine sources, the cistern built in the 4th century is the second largest cistern in istanbul. It is situated on the historical sarayburnu peninsula. The incredible subterranean basilica cistern ancient origins. Basilica cistern istanbul 2020 all you need to know. The basilica cistern is the largest of the ancient cisterns in istanbul and was built in the sixth century. Concerts in a cistern basilica cistern, istanbul traveller.
Just drag the mouse to the direction you want to look. Aug 17, 2012 i spent a total of 40 minutes down in the cistern enjoying the cool air and occasional drops of water from the ceiling. Aug 17, 2011 serif yenen was born in odemisizmir in 1963. Other articles where basilica cistern is discussed. At 140 m x 70 m, it could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water. Basilica cistern tickets can also be clubbed with many other attractions in istanbul. The cistern was giant holding tank for water that had been piped in from outside the city walls by means of a series of aqueducts and tunnels that ran from the belgrade forest, 25 kilometers16 miles away. Basilica cistern or better known as yerebatan sarayi is a very authentic place and a must see in istanbul. Jan 07, 2017 according to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. Its dimensions are 140 by 70 meters, and it is capable of holding 80.
With its imposing columns, grand scale and mysterious ambience, this subterranean site seems like a flooded palace, but it is in fact a former water storage chamber. Panorama shootings for the basilica cistern were done in the year 2007. Shooting equipment was nikon d80 digital camera, 10. Underground cistern istanbul tour studio istanbul guide. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey attractions lonely. The historic place to be basilica cistern, istanbul. When i entered the cistern, i could not believe it. Located across the hagia sophia museum, yerebatan sarayi is also known as the basilica cistern because of a basilica that was once located nearby as a cultural centre. There is a small building next to the tram line, there leads the stairs down to the. The basilica cistern, or cisterna basilica turkish.
Istanbuls mysterious basilica cistern videos viking. The cistern was constructed in the sixth century when the byzantine emperor justinian i ruled. View of the basilica cistern known in turkish as yerebatan sarn. Having broken its own historical record after world famous writer dan browns recent book inferno was published, the basilica cistern was visited by more than 2. Dan brown draws visitors basilica cistern enjoy istanbul. The basilica cistern was actually the reservoir for the prodigious quantity of water required for the byzantine great palace, and it is thought to date back to the reign. Nicknamed yerebatan sarayi, or the sunken palace in turkish, it is known in english as the basilica cistern because of its location. Its weirdness has nothing to do with the basilica cistern itself though cause that part is pretty awesome. Basilica cisterns of istanbul istanbul, turkey atlas obscura.
Hidden beneath the streets of istanbul is the hauntingly beautiful basilica cistern, a 6thcentury relic. After some research between basements of local residents, gyllius discovered main access to the. The basilica cistern is one of the weirder tourist attractions in istanbul. Mentioning that it can be observed when historical works are seen that istanbul played host to such a big civilization, uysal continued, istanbul became the capital, hosting three different civilizations. Most large, important byzantine buildings provided for storage of water beneath them. This basilica is believed to have been built sometime in the 3 rd or 4 th centuries b.
He graduated from kuleli military high school in istanbul, earned a degree in english philology at the university of istanbul in 1985, became an army officer, and taught english as a second language for a while. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie beneath the city of istanbul, former constantinople, turkey. Basilica cistern opening and closing time are between 9 a. Dating back to the byzantine era, the huge cistern was built in the mid500s on the former site of a basilica.
This istanbul underground cistern is the size of a cathedral. The theodosius cistern, which was restored by the istanbul metropolitan municipality ibb, has recently opened. More than 300 marble columns provide a grand, serene atmosphere to what was essentially subterranean water storage. A friend of ours had warned us not to miss the cistern, and she was absolutely right. Basilica cistern underground cistern tour maker turkey. Basilica cistern, istanbul ticket price timings address. It has been featured in the james bond movie from russia with love. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey attractions lonely planet. Istanbuls mysterious basilica cistern videos viking cruises. The cistern, located in the historical peninsula of istanbul next to the hagia sophia.
Basilica cistern basilica cistern istanbul museum pass. Its said over 7000 slaves were used in the construction of this cistern. Find the perfect basilica cistern istanbul stock photo. The cistern, located 500 feet 150 m southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical peninsula of sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of.
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