Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray), Istanbul

everytime i'm in im istanbul i'm visiting Yerebetan Cistern, it's something magic and completely standing apart, and not only children are fascinated by it's darkness, echoes and drops falling from ceiling...please pay attention to 2 Medusa heard supporting columns

While the Hippodrome and Hagia Sophia were testaments to the wealth of the Byzantine Empire, practical things such as a sewer system and a fresh water supply were necessary in maintaining what had been the largest city in the world. The demand for hot water was accommodated by hundreds of underground cisterns. Two of these are open to visitors. The more impressive is the Basilica Cistern, a minute walk west of Hagia Sophia. The cavernous “hot water tank” was built by Constantine and supported by massive columns. Visitors will notice the strange placement of Medusa heads at the base of two of the cistern’s marble columns. It is not uncommon for visitors to test their singing voices here, as the natural acoustics of the room make it ideal for concerts and performances. The other cistern open to the public is in the basement of Nakkas, a carpet and souvenir store one block southeast of the Hippodrome.

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Take a tram to Eminonu. Get off in the last stop. Turn your back to the sea and in front of you is the New mosque(Yeni cami) and next to it is the Spice market.. Walk in to the spice market, You will see all kinds of spices, herbal teas, souvenirs and etc.after touring in the market, go back the same way and walk to the main tram station. Follow the tramline either by walking or taking a tram. When you are about to reach the Sultanahmet Square on the right bank you will see the basilica cistern, Underground waterway built in year 532 was used as a reservoir for water storage for the Great Palace and other buildings. It is 132 m length, by 65m wide. There are 336 columns in the cistern. Most of the column capitals are either in Corinthian or Doric Style. At the far end of the cistern, there are two heads of Medusa, which are put upside down, or horizontal. Because of its magic atmosphere and great acoustics, this cistern is now hosting many Classical Music Concerts.

The enrance fee is 10 YTL, around 7 USD

I have to say that i'm as impressed as every other visitor to this 1,500 year old cistern.

It was built to provide water to the world's largest city while it was under siege from the Greeks and several other invading armies. It served its purpose and saved the city residents on several occasions.

There is still amazingly clear and fresh water in it, albeit only a few inches deep, with large and lazy fish.

The amazing thing about this is that when it was full (I've forgotten how many zillion cubic metres of fresh water), the water never seeped out. Even now, 1.500 years later, it's still water tight (to a few feet anyway).

This is well worth a visit.
Built by the Romans, i tried and failed at comparing it with the Roman baths in Bath, England.

If you take a half day City Sights Tour which will cost you EU30 per head, this, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and several other more important historical sights are included.

The cistern is a few minutes walk from the Blue Mosque.

This is a palace that located very close to the blue mosque and Aya sofia.
Yerebatan saray is unique because of the fact that the location of the palace is below ground !

The entrance is 10 YTL.

The structure was known in Byzantium as the basilica Cistern, Justinian was the founder of the largest underground cistern, built after the Nika Revolt in 532.The number of the inhabitants of Constantinople increased and bring a problem of water supply. Basilica Cistern was used to store water for the Great Palace among the other buildings on the Firth Hill. During the Justinian time, After the Conquest the water in the Basilica Cistern were used for the garden of Topkapi Palace. It is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide. The twelve rows of 28 columns each, 336 altogether, capacity of having eight thousand cubic miters water. Basilica Cistern was restored in 1980.

When you enter the Basilica Cistern, you should not miss two famous heads of Medusa at the northwest corner! One is totally upside down, and the other lies. There is an explanation board of these Medusas, so you can know more about them.

These medusas are in a very good condition, so it is one of masterpieces of Roman Art.

This is a special monument, you should not miss. At first this was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and is the largest cistern left in Istanbul.

The total number of columns is 336, and the roof is 65 meter wide and 143 long. As you see, the forms of capitals differs from each others. So, these columns had to be taken from other buildings.

After the collpse of Byzantine Empire, the existence of this cistern have been forgotten. Of course, people knew that there was a big water pool below there house, but they used this space as a huge "trash box", or enjoyed fishing.

Inside, it is very cool, sometimes water drops fall down. So, please take care of them!