Ancient Basilica Tank - the heritage of the Byzantine Empire

A unique underground reservoir is striking with its unusual beauty. This corner, located near Istanbul, has a very special atmosphere: huge columns resting in a dense arch, standing in dark water, resemble an empty flooded palace.

Water storage

Basilica Cistern (Istanbul), built 2 centuries, has reached our time in good condition. I must say that there were a lot of such storages, because the state of siege, in which the city often found itself, made the townspeople make huge reserves of water. Residents of besieged Istanbul often died of thirst, and the emperor Constantine I ordered by his decree to create capacious reservoirs for life-giving moisture. And at that time they were building a huge amount, both underground and on its surface. But not all of them have reached our time, many have been destroyed, but the Basilica Cistern - the largest structure of this kind - has become a pleasant exception.

When Istanbul still bore the name of Constantinople and was not enslaved by Turkish troops, the basilica ("church" - in Greek) was in place of the underground water storage. It was not just a religious structure: at different times it was also a library, a university, and a court building. When the city passed under the authority of the Turks, the reservoir changed its name, but not its destination.

Curious Columns

Basilica Cistern (Istanbul) with dimensions of 140 x 70 meters holds about 100 thousand tons of drinking water. The brick walls of the storehouse were covered with a special solution to prevent their destruction. Water was delivered through built aqueducts from sources far beyond the city. The huge interest of the visitors is caused by marble pillars supporting the arch, many of which are not like the others. The thing is that they were taken from different ancient temples, so their style, designs and even varieties of marble are different.

Particular curiosity is caused by columns depicting the Gorgon Medusa, whose view according to tradition turned everyone into stone idols. Often her head was used as a defense against enemies, decorating the arms and facade of buildings. One of the columns is on the inverted stone statue of the Gorgon, and under the second sculpture lies on its side. Obviously, this is done so that her menacing look does not cause harm to anyone. Until now, it is not known exactly where all these unusual items were brought from.

The column, according to the tracery patterns of which the drops slowly drain, like tears that mourn the dead in the construction of slaves, also has its own history, though it was invented especially for tourists. Now every visitor after guessing the coveted desire puts a finger in a small hole and turns it 360 degrees. It is believed that after such a secret ritual, any dream is fulfilled.

From oblivion to the museum

After the arrival of the Turks in the 15th century, the Basilica Cisterna was used exclusively for watering the gardens, and then the structure was completely abandoned. A century later, Europeans heard about the amazing construction of the famous traveler Gillius, exploring Byzantine artifacts. Learning about the strange underground structure, he studied its structure in detail and described it in his notes.

Later, the authorities recall the unique reservoir, reconstruct and organize a museum that surprises visitors with unusual surroundings. In the semi-darkness in the transparent water of the pool, in which even small fish live, tourists throw coins for happiness. Ancient Basilica The cistern with its underground stone reservoir resembles a mystical atmosphere of a scene from fantastic films.

By the way, earlier they had specially bred fish for natural purification of drinking water, and now they attract the attention of all visitors with golden sides, gleaming in the light of street lamps. Before, local residents, not realizing the unique construction under the ground, were engaged in catching carp straight from the house, only hollowing out small holes in the floor.

Basilica Cistern (Istanbul): opening hours and ticket price

Now the grand storehouse, which was built by 7 thousand slaves, is equipped after numerous reconstructions with all modern communications, was also filled with concrete floor and made bridges for tourists around the perimeter of the reservoir.

Despite the fact that this is not the most popular tourist route, sometimes queues are created at the entrance. Therefore, guides warn that it is best to come here when it opens or, conversely, closes its doors before the last visitors. Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. Its working hours are from 09:00 to 17:30 in winter, and in summer one hour is added to view impressive sights. On all days of religious holidays, the repository begins work at 13:00. The cost of the ticket for visitors is 7 euros, and for residents of Istanbul a 50% discount applies.

Basilica The cistern is an interesting object not only for all lovers of underground constructions, it is a historical reminder of the greatness of the Byzantine Empire and a preserved legacy after the conquests of the Ottoman Empire.