Interesting Facts about Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey

Interesting Facts about Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey

Basilica Cistern Istanbul is among the most majestic historical structures in Turkey. In this article, you can find updated information about what is the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Istanbul Basilica Cistern entrance fee, the Basilica cistern Istanbul opening hours, in addition to Basilica Cistern Istanbul closed.

The Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey, also known as “Sunken Cistern” is one of the main tourist attractions in Sultanahmet-Istanbul, with more than 2.2 million tourists visit it annually.

In general, Istanbul attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world due to its magnificent historical landmarks, which spread in all the city.

Thus, the Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey is one of the magical landmarks in Turkey with a great history and stories, and that is why we are talking about what is the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, and its importance.

Due to the presence of many Roman columns in the tank, Istanbul Cistern Basilica looks like an underground palace. That is why the Turks call it “Yerpatan Saray”, which means “underground palace.”

Istanbul Cistern Basilica got its name from the historical Stoa Basilica, which is one of the large public squares in Constantinople during the Byzantine period.

The cisterns provided the water needs of the population during periods of drought and other purposes throughout history such as silk or shelter.

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The Magical History of The Basilica Cistern Istanbul

The Magical History of The Basilica Cistern Istanbul
The Magical History of The Basilica Cistern Istanbul

The Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey was built around 324-330 BC, when Emperor Constantine decided to build a new imperial city in Constantinople on the legendary seven hills as in Rome.

First, he built his palace, the church of Hagia Sophia, the church of Hagia Irene, Horse racing, City Forum and Cistern Church.

Some historians agree that the date of Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is the 6th century when Emperor Justinian enlarged the Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey after the Nika Revolution in 53 AD.

The tank is one of the oldest historical heritage of Byzantium along with Hagia Sophia and Hagia Irene, it is about 1500-1700 years old.

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What is The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul?

What is The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
What is The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul

Many people are thinking what is the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, and why is it unique, here is the story of Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey.

When Emperor Constantine and Justinian built their mythical city of Constantinople, it became one of the most beautiful mythical cities in the East and West.

However, there was a difficulty in the city in getting water, which remained unresolved until the cisterns were built.

There were no potable water sources in Istanbul, and it had to be brought from outside by water pipes.

Basilica Cistern in Istanbul and many other underground cisterns such as the Philoxenus Cistern (Bin Bir Direk Sarnıcı), the Cistern of Goodwill (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) and the cistern under the Nakkash center, were all built as water storage tanks to solve the Constantinople water issue and also to supply the residents with enough water in the days of the siege.

It also supplied the Big Palace with water and the pipelines came from outside Constantinople like the Belgrade Forest.

Unfortunately, the pipes have disappeared today and no traces of these pipelines can be found in Basilica Cistern Istanbul closed.

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Architectural features of Basilica Cistern Istanbul

Architectural features of Basilica Cistern Istanbul
Architectural features of Basilica Cistern Istanbul

Istanbul Cistern Basilica resembles a palace with 336 columns, each 9 meters in height, to support the small domes above them.

The columns of Basilica Cistern in Istanbul seem endless, with a length of 140 meters, and width of 70 meters, and the distance between each column is 4.80 meters.

Columns are not the same in Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey, they all have different styles and prove that the architects may use recycled columns brought from the ancient cities, as they did in the construction of Hagia Sophia.

This diversity of styles can be understood from the fascinating decorations and the colors of the marble columns in Istanbul Cistern Basilica.

The tank covers an area of 9,800 square meters and can hold 100,000 tons of water that can supply the needs for months.

We recommend you to visit Basilica Cistern of Istanbul to know all its historical stories and take many beautiful pictures with your loved ones.

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Important tips when visiting Basilica Cistern Istanbul

Important tips when visiting Basilica Cistern Istanbul
Important tips when visiting Basilica Cistern Istanbul
  • Istanbul Cistern Basilica can be very crowded in summer season, so try to get there early in Basilica Cistern Istanbul opening hours in morning to avoid overcrowding.
  • There is a café to buy drinks and snacks, and a souvenir shop is at the exit of Cistern Basilica Istanbul Turkey.
  • It is not allowed to take pictures with a tripod.
  • is just with cash (Turkish lira).

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How to get to Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey?

How to get to Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey
How to get to Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey
  • You can reach Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey by tram
  • By taxi, you can also take a taxi to go to Sultanahmet, and then to Basilica Cistern of Istanbul.
  • By Bus, in Istanbul, you can take the tour buses around Sultanahmet Square which stop near Basilica Cistern of Istanbul and the Basilica Cistern Istanbul ticket price for this tour is about $50.

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Istanbul Basilica Cistern Entrance Fee and Opening Hours 2022

Basilica Cistern Istanbul opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:30, every day of the week. Additionally, you cannot pre-book online from a website but it is easy to book a guided tour through the internet.

And about Basilica Cistern Istanbul ticket price, Istanbul Basilica Cistern entrance fee is just 30 TL, and children under the age of 7 free of charge in Basilica Cistern Fatih Istanbul Turkey.

Regarding Basilica Cistern Istanbul ticket price for students and teachers, it is just 15 TL.

Basilica Cistern Istanbul closed in 2021 due to the ongoing restoration work, and it is expected to open in the next months of 2022.

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Frequently Asked Question about Basilica Cistern Istanbul

  1. When will Basilica Cistern open?

    Basilica Cistern was opened this year in 2022.

  2. What is the Basilica Cistern?

    Basilica Cistern Istanbul is among the most majestic historical structures in Turkey. It is known as “Sunken Cistern”, and it is one of the main tourist attractions in Sultanahmet-Istanbul, with more than 2.2 million tourists visit it annually.

  3. Why is Basilica Cistern Closed?

    Basilica Cistern Istanbul closed in 2021 due to the ongoing restoration work, and it is expected to open in the next months of 2022.

  4. Do you need ticket to Basilica Cistern?

    Yes, Basilica Cistern ticket price is just 30 TL, and children under the age of 7 free of charge. For students and teachers, it is just 15 TL.

  5. How big is the Basilica Cistern?

    The size of Basilica Cistern is approximately 9800 square meters. The columns of the cistern seem endless, with a length of 140 meters, and width of 70 meters, and the distance between each column is 4.80 meters.

  6. How far is Basilica Cistern from Blue Mosque?

    Basilica Cistern is 290 meters far from the Blue Mosque.

  7. How many pillars in Basilica Cistern?

    Istanbul Cistern Basilica resembles a palace with 336 pillars, each 9 meters in height, to support the small domes above them.

  8. How to get to Basilica Cistern?

    You can get to Basilica Cistern by tram, or by taxi, you can take a taxi to go to Sultanahmet, and then to Basilica Cistern of Istanbul. There is another option by Bus, you can take the tour buses around Sultanahmet Square which stop near Basilica Cistern.

  9. Is Basilica Cistern worth it?

    Absolutely, Basilica worth a visit, it is among the most majestic historical structures in Turkey, with a great history and stories that interest tourists.

  10. When was the Basilica Cistern built?

    The Basilica Cistern Istanbul Turkey was built around 324-330 BC, when Emperor Constantine decided to build a new imperial city in Constantinople on the legendary seven hills as in Rome.

  11. What was the Basilica Cistern used for?

    Basilica Cistern was used to provide the water needs of the population during periods of drought and other purposes throughout history such as silk or shelter.

  12. How was the Basilica Cistern built?

    The Basilica Cistern was built when Emperor Constantine decided to build a new imperial city in Constantinople on the legendary seven hills as in Rome.

  13. Why does the Basilica Cistern have no windows?

    Basilica Cistern doesn't have windows because it is considered an underground building and was used as water storage and as a shelter at war times.

  14. Where is the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul?

    Basilica Cistern is located on the European side of Istanbul, 150 meters southwest of Hagia Sophia.

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