This is also known as the Yerebatan Sarayı, or Underground Cistern, Istanbul. It was originally constructed by that great builder, the Emperor Justinian in the sixth century, on a site to be near the old palace. It was also known as the Basilica Cistern. It is one of the biggest of the Byzantine cisterns, being 140 metres by 70 metres (154 by 77 yards). It has no less than 336 columns, each 8 metres (about 26,5 it) high.
As in the equally famous Thousand and One Columns, no part of the pillars have remained in the ground. It is the only one of the old Byzantine cisterns which still contains water, which is brought from the reservoirs in the Forest of Belgrad. Electric light has been installed and it is possible to go for a row in it in a boat. It is one of the most impressive of all Byzantine remains, a fitting offset to the wonderful building of Justanian nearby, Aya Sofya, that is, Hagia Sofia.
Continuing from the Underground Cistern, Istanbul in the direction of the trams, we come to Hagia Sofya Place with the Aya Sofya Museum. To the south of the Museum is the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet. Here too we see the Obelisk and the Hippodrome Place, the Atmeydani, to-day the Place of Sultan Ahmet. And then, on the north side, there is the old Church of St. Irene, the Palace of Topkapi, the Topkapi Museum, the Museum of the Ancient East, the Archaeological Museum and the Tile Kiosk.
This is the magical place that indeed all of the other reviewers have described. It's a must-see and is a good alternative when the nearby Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are too crowded. But I bet most visitors are disappointed in their pictures of it when they get home. Reason? They took flash pictures.
Really there are plenty of things to see and do in Istanbul and as I only stopped 2 days will definitely make a return visit perhaps next year, but this place amazed me perhaps because it's underground and a massive structure ,it seemed to impress me for this reason. But it was so peaceful and the atmosphere was unusual.
This sight has a mysterioius feeling to it. I try to imagine the entire Sultanamet area having an underground like this. It is amazing. Be sure to look for the two medussas. I think this should be on every person's itinerary.
After doing a tour of Turkey and seeing the palaces and mosques we decided that a must do was the Cistern – wanted to see how water was stored and to expereince an underground world. It is close to the otehr major sites, mosques and easy to locate.
On entry you find yourself in anotehr world!
Could not believe the inside of this place- breathtaking and when you realise how old it is – WOW- a must visit
Our visit to the Basilica Cistern was an overwhelming surprise as, in terms of my travel experience, we have never visited anything like it before. We had the benefit of a guide and his recounting of the Cistern's role and history added to the experience. Fortunately, there was not much of a crowd when we visited mid-morning. Definitely don't miss…
Remember to bring a tripod if you are looking for great pictures as the Basilica is quite dark.
The weather was cold and i was chilled to the bone, so i really enjoyed my visit to the Basilica Cistern. The Medusa heads were captivating. There is also a small coffee inside if you feel like having a cup of tea.
If you like dark and damp places – I loved it! Only gripe was the loud groups of tourists with their tour guides who shout and spoil the atmosphere.
Loved that classical music was playing as you walk through this watery underground labyrinth. The upside down medusa heads at the column bases tell their own story. Could not believe the inside of this place- breathtaking and when you realise how old it is – WOW- a must visit Love this site.