İstanbul The Basilica Cistern

Hidden beneath the streets of Sultanahmet, a short walk from Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern – Yerebatan Sarnıcı, "the Sunken Palace" in Turkish – is one of the most extraordinary sights in Istanbul. Descending the stairs, you enter a dimly lit forest of marble columns rising from shallow water, their reflections stretching into the darkness. It is the largest of the hundreds of ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city and a highlight of every Istanbul Old City tour.

History

The cistern was built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I, beneath the Stoa Basilica, a great public square on the city's first hill – which is how it got its name. It stored water brought into the city by aqueducts and supplied the Great Palace of the emperors and the surrounding buildings. The cistern measures about 138 by 65 metres, covers around 9,800 square metres and could hold some 80,000 cubic metres of water.

After the Ottoman conquest the cistern was largely forgotten by all but the people living above it, who drew water through holes in their basements. In the 16th century the French scholar Petrus Gyllius described rowing a boat between its columns. The cistern was repaired under Ahmed III and Abdülhamid II, and a major restoration in the 1980s removed tons of silt and built walkways, opening it to the public as a museum in 1987. It closed again in 2017 for an extensive restoration and earthquake strengthening, and reopened in 2022. In June 2026 its management was handed over from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality to the General Directorate of Foundations.

What to See

The roof is carried by 336 marble columns, each about nine metres high, arranged in 12 rows of 28. Most were reused from older buildings, so the capitals mix Ionic, Corinthian and plain Doric styles. The cistern became world famous through films and novels, from the James Bond film From Russia with Love to Dan Brown's Inferno.

• The Medusa heads: two colossal carved heads reused as column bases in the north-west corner, one sideways and one upside down.
• The Hen's Eye column: a column carved with eyes, branches and tear-like motifs, often called the Weeping Column.
• The forest of columns: 336 columns reflected in the water under atmospheric lighting.
• Brick vaults: cross vaults and arches spanning the vast underground hall.
• Raised walkways: routes that lead you between the columns above the water.

Visitor Tips

Opening hours, ticket prices and evening sessions may have changed since the 2026 change of management, so check the current arrangements before your visit. The cistern is one of the busiest sights in Istanbul, so arrive early or go with a guide to make the most of your time. It is cool and humid underground and the floors can be damp; wear shoes with good grip. A visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The Basilica Cistern sits at the heart of the historic peninsula and is easily combined with Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and Topkapı Palace on a guided Istanbul tour.