Contact
- Yerebatan Cad. Alemdar Mah. 1/3 34410 Sultanahmet-Fatih/İSTANBUL
- +90 (0212) 512 15 70
- +90 (0212) 222 21 06
- webmaster@allabouturkiye.com
Discover the Beauty of Basilica Cistern
MMonday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
TTuesday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
WWednesday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
TThursday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
FFriday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
SSaturday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
SSunday | 09:00 AM - 22:00 |
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) is in the west of Hagia Sophia Square. It was built by Justinian (527-565), the biggest indoor Byzantine cistern in size of 140 to 70 meters. Total 336 columns, each 9 meters high, carries the cross-vaulted brick ceiling. The water stored here was brought from outside of the city by aqueducts and channels in the Byzantine period.
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) is toured by scaffolds for being on the level of fish living in water. It is believed that the column processed as a tree body in the center of the cistern was brought from another structure. Almost forty of the columns are left behind the curtain wall in the southwest of the cistern which was made in the 19th century.
Medusa heads excavated after the renovation in the southwest corner are also interesting. Two Medusa heads which are reverse and leaning are used as pedestals of two columns.
The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) not only stands as a historical structure but also serves as a venue that opens the door to cultural and artistic events. This cistern, bearing the unique historical texture of Istanbul, continues to blend history and art through Night Shift events.
Night Shift Surprise Concerts
As part of Night Shift, surprise concerts continue to take place on specific days of the week between 19:30 and 22:00, welcoming visitors. Anyone wishing to experience the enchantment of history is invited to a mystical journey in the unique atmosphere of the Basilica Cistern, where you may encounter a surprise concert and experience the captivating harmony of history and art.
Voices of the Deep: From Handel to Tanbûrî Mustafa Çavuş (April 2023)
Voices of the Deep, offering the opportunity to experience the enchanting atmosphere of the cistern accompanied by music, welcomed music enthusiasts who opened their minds and hearts to both the East and the West in the second event of the series.
Voices of the Deep: From Bach to Itrî (January 2023)
The lives and works of two great music figures representing Western and Eastern civilizations came together on the same stage within the scope of Night Shift’s Voices of the Deep.
Darkness of Basilica (December 2022)
The 1500-year-old Basilica Cistern hosted the event Darkness of Basilica, which provided an opportunity to experience light, scent, and spatial perception together in the mystical atmosphere of this historical structure.
Not rated yet.
Why don't you register your impressions?