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Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray), Istanbul
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Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray), Istanbul

Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) tips and photos posted by real travelers and Istanbul locals.
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Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Go underground-marvelous engineering feat
  • Tip Rating:
  • albaaust
  • By albaaust on February 23, 2008
  • Istanbul Page by albaaust
  • Upside down Medusa head - Istanbul
    Upside down Medusa head
    by albaaust
    The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sanici) Underground cistern is a huge underground water storage area dating from the Byzantium period. It was built during the reign of Emperor Justinianus in the 6th century. It is 143m long and 65m wide and covers an area of 9,800sqr m. There are 336 marble columns mainly in the Corinthian and ionic style. The peacock and teardrop columns and the columns resting on Medusa’s head are especially interesting. Enter from street diagonally opposite Hagia Sophia.
    Cost 10 YTL

  • Phone: 0125221259
  • Website: www.yerebatan.com
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): James Bond's Playground
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  • divandrea
  • Updated By divandrea on March 21, 2007
  • Istanbul Page by divandrea
  • Yerebatan Cistern - Istanbul
    Yerebatan Cistern
    by divandrea, 2 more photos
    You enter this place known to the world as one of the locations in James Bond's From Russia with Love through an unimpressive, even shabby little building. But after climbing down just a few steps - you seem to enter a hole new world. The cistern is just stunningly beautiful, but still mysterious. The whole place is enlighten just enough for you to see anything but it's still dark enough to make you feel curious about the place. You get to see where and how water was supplied for Istanbul in ancient times. There is even a small cafe where you can prolongate your stay in Yerebatan Cistern. One of the highlights of every Istanbul Trip!
    (Open Daily between 9 a.m. and 5.30 p.m.)

  • Address: Yerebatan Cad.
  • Directions: Sultanahmet, between The Blue Mosque and St. Sophie
  • Website: www.yerebatan.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): See the Palace Cistern. Try...
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  • grrl_travel
  • By grrl_travel on September 7, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by grrl_travel
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by grrl_travel
    See the Palace Cistern. Try to go when the dervishes are dancing. It's very cool (and temperature cool also, which is great if you are in Istanbul during the summer)!

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  • Directions: The entrance is just off the main square by Aya Sofia and SultanAhmet Mosque (the blue mosque).
  • Other Contact: See someone's page on their trip
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): In Sunken Cistern---Medusa Head Columns
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  • pabertra
  • By pabertra on October 31, 2004
  • Istanbul Page by pabertra
  • Medusa Head - Istanbul
    Medusa Head
    by pabertra
    In the back of the sunken cistern there are two columns which have bases that are Medusa's Heads. There are many legends surrounding these columns and there are 3 prominently displayed placards that describe the tales. Don't miss them if you make it here!

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Yerebatan Saray
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  • ophiro
  • By ophiro on July 28, 2005
  • Istanbul Page by ophiro
  • Yerebatan Saray - Istanbul
    Yerebatan Saray
    by ophiro
    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.

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  • Address: Sultanahmet Square
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Yerebatan Sarnici / The Underground Cistern
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  • violeta13
  • By violeta13 on October 29, 2004
  • Istanbul Page by violeta13
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by violeta13
    First constructed during the reign of Constantin I (306-337) the cistern was restored and extended by Justinian. There are twelve rows of columns supporting the superstructure, each with 28 columns.
    The classical music and some pulsing lights makes this underground walk quite strange

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  • Address: Yerebatan Cad.
  • Phone: 0212/522-1259
  • Directions: Diagonal from St. Sophia
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Magic underground
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  • ptitetoile
  • Updated By ptitetoile on September 16, 2003
  • Istanbul Page by ptitetoile
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by ptitetoile
    Hagia Sophia has a water reserve under the ground... you will find there a very special atmosphere...and an old sculture representing Medusa...

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Yerebatan Cistern (Basilica Cistern)
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  • Jim_Eliason
  • Updated By Jim_Eliason on January 18, 2009
  • Istanbul Page by Jim_Eliason
  • cistern - Istanbul
    cistern
    by Jim_Eliason
    Ancient Roman Cistern underneath the Hippodrome. Built in the 6th century, this cistern still holds water today. Key an eye out for the Medussa head carvings.

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  • Address: Yerebatan Caddesi No. 13, 34410 Sultanahmet
  • Phone: (0212) 522 1259
  • Directions: hippodrome
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Go and see absolutely this...
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  • istanbul_is
  • Updated By istanbul_is on August 25, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by istanbul_is
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by istanbul_is
    Go and see absolutely this wonderful place : Yerebatan Sarayi in turkish , means sunken palace . In the guides , Cistern Basilica . Don't ask anymore go there only .

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  • Directions: Situated near St. Sophia .....other side of the tramway ...
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Medusa Head at Sunken Cistern
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  • Jim_Eliason
  • Updated By Jim_Eliason on May 15, 2005
  • Istanbul Page by Jim_Eliason
  • Basilica Cistern - Istanbul
    Basilica Cistern
    by Jim_Eliason
    Here is one of the two medusa head carvings at the cistern.

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  • Address: Yerebatan Caddesi No. 13, 34410 Sultanahmet
  • Phone: (0212) 522 1259
  • Directions: Hippodrome
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
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