Known as Yerebatan Sarnıcı in Turkish, The Basilica Cistern is an underground cistern constructed to provide water to Istanbul in 4th Century during the reign of Emperor Constantine. Due to the insufficent of drinking water, it was a must during that time to build water passages and storages. The cistern was enlarged later by the Emperor Justinian and used as a water storage during the Byzantine era for the Great Palace. It was later then used for water storage by Ottomans as well.

The Basilica Cistern is a glamorous structure with its marble columns rising from the water and seem like countless. You will see as the most amazing feature of the cistern is two Medusa Heads used for supporting the ceiling which is a great work of art from the Roman period.

A Greek mythology says that Medusa with snake hair could turn creatures into stone that look directly to her eyes. There are many controversies about the origin of those stones in the cistern. It is said that Medusa head were turned upside down to prevent turning people into stones.

No matter what, you should definitely see the cistern with its magnificent columns on the water and mythical Medusa heads.

There is another historical beauty in Istanbul, the Binbir Direk Cistern is located close to Sultan Ahmed Square. This second largest cistern in Istanbul was constructed to serve as a water reservoir just like Basilica Cistern. The name of the cistern may be coming from “binbir” which means abundance. It attracts tourists’ attention that there are too many Greek letters on the columns. On these columns, the stoneworkers who built the columns are described. This underground beauty is still astounding. Special occasions can be celebrated in Binbir Direk Cistern by permission.