After a trip to the basilica cistern i found that it was an ideal shelter contradicting many conditions of the outside world. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey attractions lonely planet. 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. Istanbuls mysterious basilica cistern videos viking. Find the perfect basilica cistern istanbul stock photo. Shooting equipment was nikon d80 digital camera, 10. It is situated on the historical sarayburnu peninsula. The basilica cistern, or cisterna basilica turkish. 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. Its weirdness has nothing to do with the basilica cistern itself though cause that part is pretty awesome. 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.
Aug 17, 2011 serif yenen was born in odemisizmir in 1963. Sophia cistern and theodosius cistern is some of the 80 cisterns that supplied water in constantinople. Panorama shootings for the basilica cistern were done in the year 2007. 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 water was transported from the belgrade forest by the immense byzantine aqueducts valens aqueducts.
Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey attractions lonely. 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. The cistern was constructed in the sixth century when the byzantine emperor justinian i ruled. Basilica cistern or better known as yerebatan sarayi is a very authentic place and a must see in istanbul. The cistern has 336 marble columns in ionic or corinthian styles, which are 9 meters in length.
Nicknamed yerebatan sarayi, or the sunken palace in turkish, it is known in english as the basilica cistern because of its location. 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. According to byzantine sources, the cistern built in the 4th century is the second largest cistern in istanbul. The basilica cistern has undergone several restorations since its foundation. Basilica cisterns of istanbul istanbul, turkey atlas obscura. The basilica cistern is one of the weirder tourist attractions in istanbul. Istanbuls mysterious basilica cistern videos viking cruises. Its said over 7000 slaves were used in the construction of this cistern. 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. The historic place to be basilica cistern, istanbul.
Other articles where basilica cistern is discussed. Known locally as yerebatan sarayi meaning sunken palace or yerebatan sarnici sunken cistern, this underground water cistern was the major water reservoir of constantinople. Basilica cistern istanbul 2020 all you need to know. Apr 27, 2018 after the basilica cistern and cistern of philoxenos, the theodosius cistern has been added to the list. Sunken cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey. Basilica cistern tickets can also be clubbed with many other attractions in istanbul. 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. To enter the cistern, one has to go down a 52step staircase.
Dan brown draws visitors basilica cistern enjoy istanbul. The 10 best basilica cistern yerebatan sarayi tours. The basilica cistern is also called the sunken cistern, and it is found in istanbul, turkey. The basilica cistern yerebatan saray is a subterranean wonder and one of the greatest and certainly the biggest of istanbuls surviving byzantine sites. 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. 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. There is a small building next to the tram line, there leads the stairs down to the. The cistern, located in the historical peninsula of istanbul next to the hagia sophia. Upside down medusa statue at the underground cistern of 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. 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. Istanbuls constantinople 6th century basilica cistern. 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. Step into its shadowy depths with karine to explore its many secrets.
After some research between basements of local residents, gyllius discovered main access to the. The weight of the cistern lies on the columns by means of the crossshaped vaults and round arches of its roof. It covers an area of 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. Hidden beneath the streets of istanbul is the hauntingly beautiful basilica cistern, a 6thcentury relic. Theodosius cistern, a witness to istanbuls long history. Basilica cistern opening and closing time are between 9 a. 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. It has been featured in the james bond movie from russia with love. Theyre left from the days when istanbul was constantinople. This basilica is believed to have been built sometime in the 3 rd or 4 th centuries b. Dating back to the byzantine era, the huge cistern was built in the mid500s on the former site of a basilica.
Sunken palace or basilica cistern istanbul, turkey flickr. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul, turkey. Discover basilica cisterns of istanbul in istanbul, turkey. When i entered the cistern, i could not believe it. After some research between basements of local residents, gyllius discovered main access to the cistern. 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. The basilica cistern is the largest of the ancient cisterns in istanbul and was built in the sixth century.
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. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey stock photo image of. Basilica cistern cistern, istanbul, turkey britannica. This istanbul underground cistern is the size of a cathedral. 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. The incredible subterranean basilica cistern ancient origins. Being the largest of istanbul, the basilica cistern, yerebatan sarn. Basilica cistern provided water storage during roman times in istanbul, turkey, then known as constantinople posted on january 10, 2014 by.
The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie beneath the city of istanbul, former constantinople, turkey. There are hundreds of ancient cisterns under the city and this one is the largest. Subterranean cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey. It has to do with the really odd way of getting into it. A friend of ours had warned us not to miss the cistern, and she was absolutely right. 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. In some, like the great basilica cistern near hagia sophia called by the turks the yerebatan underground palace, old material was reused. The basilica cistern was given its name for the reason of being located under the stoa basilica. At 140 m x 70 m, it could hold 80,000 cubic meters of water. View of the basilica cistern known in turkish as yerebatan sarn. It is supported by 336 columns and many carp and goldfish swim around the. Istanbul private halfday tour hagia sophia, basilica cistern.
Book your tickets online for basilica cistern, istanbul. 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. A marvel of byzantine engineering under the streets of istanbul. Its dimensions are 140 by 70 meters, and it is capable of holding 80. 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. But i had to go back to the surface at some point and face the heat of istanbul again. Istanbul in dan browns inferno hagia sophia, basilica. 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.
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. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey location, facts, history. According to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. 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. Most large, important byzantine buildings provided for storage of water beneath them. Basilica cistern, istanbul ticket price timings address. Basilica cistern underground cistern tour maker turkey.
It is the largest covered cistern in istanbul, dating back to the roman times. It is the largest surviving underground cistern of istanbul. 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. Beautiful yet eerie, basilica cistern yerebatan sarayi isnt your average underground well. You can visit the underground cistern either with our one day. Beneath istanbul lie hundreds of gloomy byzantinecisterns. 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. 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. 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. Just drag the mouse to the direction you want to look. Underground cistern istanbul tour studio istanbul guide.
Concerts in a cistern basilica cistern, istanbul traveller. Basilica cistern istanbul this is a huge underground water cistern that was built in the 6th century. The grandest of all is the basilica cistern yerebatan sarn. Basilica cisterns of istanbul istanbul, turkey atlas.
Istanbul is the largest city in turkey, as well as the countrys economic, cultural, and historic heart. 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. Jan 07, 2017 according to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. Jan 14, 2016 the basilica cistern the largest surviving cistern in istanbul was thus rediscovered and back on the map. It is called the basilica cistern, because of its presumed location underneath the roman ilius basilica which stood here.
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