BASILICA CISTERN
BASILICA CISTERN
It is also known as the Basilica Palace. This unique structure takes you to a mystical world. The cisterns rising from the water seem to go to infinity. It is visited by many tourists. The cisterns are 140 meters high and 70 meters wide. Inside the cistern, there are 336 columns with a length of 9 meters, descended with 52 steps. These cisterns represent different cultures and they are made of large stones. Some of the cisterns have Corinthian style while some of them have Doric style in their architecture.
WHERE IS BASILICA CISTERN?
It is located near the Sultanahmet Square, in the southwest of Hagia Sophia in İstanbul.
THE STORY OF THE BASILICA CISTERN
It was built to satisfy the need of water in the city in 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor I. Justinian. Also, Mağlova Aqueduct was built by the emperor of this period to distribute the water to the city. This large underground water reservoir has the capacity to hold 100 thousand tons of water. It has undergone restorations to survive until today. The most salient structure in the cistern is the two Medusa Heads. The Heads of Medusa is a fascinating structure from the roman period is located in the northwest of the cistern. There are many legends associated with this work.
MEDUSA HEADS
In Greek mythology, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas that are known as the female monsters of the underground. According to mythology, Medusa turns people who look at her into a stone and Medusa has the head of a snake. For this reason, sculpture of Medusa has been made to protect large and important structures.
According to another legend, Medusa was a girl with black eyes, a beautiful body and long hair who loved Perseus, the son of Zeus. Mean while, Athena is jealous of Medusa. Because she loves Perseus too. Finally, Athena turns Medusa’s long hair into a snake. After that, whoever Medusa looks at, turn into stone. Perseus cuts off Medusa’s head due to defeat his enemies and wins many victories.
It is believed that Medusa turned herself into the stone by looking sideways. Because of this legend, the upside down Medusa Heads in the Basilica Cistern were made in three different positions according to the reflection of the light. Also it is believed that Medusa stood upside down so, her head wouldn’t be cut off.
BASILICA CISTERN WEEPİNG COLUMN
There is another remarkable structure at the end of the cistern. There are Peacock Eyes and Teardrop shapes at the top of a column. This special column is similar to the columns called Farum Tauri in Byzantine period. This column has moist structure so that, it is known as the Weeping Column. There is a wishing pool behind the Weeping Column. If you go this place, you don’t forget to make a wish.
ENTRANCE FEE OF THE BASILICA CISTERN
It is 50 TL for local visitors while 190 TL for foreign visitors. Also, the fee is 20 TL for students and teachers.
HOW TO GO TO THE BASILICA CISTERN?
You can come to Sultanahmet Square from Bağcılar by tram. If you are coming by bus, you can get off at Kabataş and go to Sultanahmet by tram. If you want to see the sea, you can come to Eminönü by ferry and then reach the Sultanahmet by tram.
