March 24, 2010 00:48 by
haci
Byzantine cistern from the 6th century built by Justinian I and is located to the south-west of Hagia Sophia. The water was brought from Belgrade Forest, 19 kilometers to the north of Istanbul, and it had a capacity to store 100.000 tons of water. It features fine brick vaulting supported by 336 various type of columns brought here from different parts of the Empire. The Basilica Cistern, or Underground (Yerebatan) Cistern as locals call it, now houses a cafeteria and hosts musical and theatrical performances and a Biannual. There are also two Medusa friezes brought from the Temple of Apollo in Didyma (today's Didim). Its dimensions are 140x70x9 meters.
Justinianus I, Byzantium Emperor, had the cistern be constructed in the 6th century (565). The old name was Basilica cistern. The palace takes its name due to its ornamented column heads. Today, it is used as a museum.
Open daily between 09:00-18:30
Tel: (212) 522 12 59
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