BASILICA CISTERN

Description

Essentials about the Basilica Cistern in brief

Anyone who has seen the James Bond movie From Russia with Love or even the film adaptation of Dan Brown’s bestseller Inferno will know this building: The Basilica Cistern. Located right next to the Hagia Sophia, the late antique cistern, often called the “Sunken Palace” because of its palatial columned architecture, is one of Istanbul’s most impressive sights.

The history of the Basilica Cistern

Originally, the cistern is said to have been commissioned by Emperor Constantine. However, the 138 meter long and 65 meter wide underground cistern owes its appearance and size to Emperor Justinian. He had the cistern built between 532 and about 542 as a water reservoir for the Great Palace. Above it was a large basilica, hence the name “Cisterna Basilica”.

The architecture of the Basilica Cistern

The cistern has a capacity of about 80,000 cubic meters of water. Twelve rows of 28, a total of 336 columns, each eight meters high, with mainly Corinthian capitals support the vault. The columns, by the way, were “misappropriated” from other temples and buildings.

The water, which came in the best quality from the Belgrade Forest in the highlands north of Istanbul via the Hadrian Aqueduct and the Valens Aqueduct, was used to supply the imperial household.

Visiting the Basilica Cistern is an impressive experience. Over wooden footbridges visitors can walk dry-footed through the cistern. In the water you can often observe a number of fish, some of them very bright to white. Two columns in the back of the Basilica Cistern are particularly interesting: they are supported by inverted Medusa heads. Supposedly, the two heads were once placed there to ward off evil spirits. To further enhance the magical effect of this unique building, light shows are staged and classical music can be heard muffled over loudspeakers.