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

Medusa Head - Istanbul
Medusa Head
by pabertra
Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) tips and photos posted by real travelers and Istanbul locals.
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Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Yerebatan Cistern
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  • kunduz
  • Updated By kunduz on September 17, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by kunduz
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by kunduz
    One of the major problems in ancient cities was how to ensure a water supply during seige. Istanbul possessed a series of large cisterns which were constructed with this in mind. Some were open and others were covered in. The latter were either square or rectangular in plan, and were roofed over with brick arches and vaults, supported on stone piers. The Yerebatan Sarnici is one of the largest covered cisterns of the era in Istanbul. It is situated not far from the court of Hagia Sophia. The district is named after it. In the Byzantine era, it was known as the `Basilica Cistern.` First constructed during the reign of Constantine I (306-337 AD), this underground cistern was restored and extended by Justinian (527-565 AD). It is 141 meters in length and 73 meters wide. There are twelve rows of columns supporting the superstructure, each with 28 columns, for a total of 336 in all. The columns are eight meters in height and are surmounted by composite capitals. The cistern was renowned for the coldness of the water. A street of houses abutting the walls of the Topkapi Palace beside the present Gulhane Park, recently restored as tourist pensions, and whose water was obtained from the underground cistern was named after the cold water fountain there, `Soguk Cesme Sokak.`

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  • Address: Sultanahmet
  • Directions: The photo at left shows the street entrance to the cistern.
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): The Basilica Cistern!! And...
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  • By Rroja on September 12, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by Rroja
  • The Basilica Cistern!!
    And the palaces of course.


    It's surreal-
    Not really like other sites I've seen. It's basically a 'sewar w/ charm', if you will.

  • Directions: Cistern and Topkapi very close to town center.. Other palace on the Asian side... $3 (US) cab ride over...
  • Other Contact: Backpacker's Travel (Yasmine or
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Underground Cistern~ Yerebatan Sarayi
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  • Birsen
  • Updated By Birsen on May 6, 2005
  • Istanbul Page by Birsen
  • Underground Cistern~ Yerebatan Sarayi - Istanbul
    Underground Cistern~ Yerebatan
    Sarayi
    by Birsen
    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.

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): The Basillica Cistern is...
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  • debankh
  • By debankh on August 25, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by debankh
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by debankh
    The Basillica Cistern is located below Hagia Sofia. It is my favorite place in Istanbul! You can walk all around underneath and see the water flowing around. There are numerous columns that were brought there from all over- it is a sort of hodge podge of different styles. The most notable columns are the two Medusa-head columns. One is pictured here.

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): LA CISTERNA DE YEREBATAN: Its...
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  • viajeromaga
  • Updated By viajeromaga on August 25, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by viajeromaga
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by viajeromaga
    LA CISTERNA DE YEREBATAN:
    Its the largeest of the 60 water storages that were built in Istanbul during the bizantine times.
    Its located just front of Aghia Sophia and it was built in the year 532 B.C. Has 336 columns with a distance of 4 meters between columns. It occupies an area of 10.000 square meters and has a height of 8 meters.

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): cultural museum.'Yerebatan...
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  • By kpd on August 24, 2002
  • Istanbul Page by kpd
  • Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) - Istanbul
    by kpd
    cultural museum.'Yerebatan Sarnýcý'

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  • Directions: The king of Bizans I. Justinienhad made this sarnýc, It can hold 80000m3 water. Its in Sultanahmet. Tel. 0090212 522 12 59
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): 512AD and all that
    ogb4619
  • By ogb4619 on November 2, 2005
  • Istanbul Page by ogb4619
  • 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.

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  • Directions: A few minutes from the Blue Mosque
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): underground
    seasonedveteran
  • By seasonedveteran on May 14, 2008
  • Istanbul Page by seasonedveteran
  • amazing that this was under the hustle and bustle of istanbul until the 20 century some time, when it was discovered. There are tons of huge columns here that support the cars above on the street! craziness, and then it is a water purifying method.

    see the column of medusa in the back of the place. the atmosphere there is very romantic and dark.

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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Amazing
    finecut
  • By finecut on April 22, 2004
  • Istanbul Page by finecut
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    Palace Cistern (Yerebatan Saray): Palast Cistern
    realde14
  • By realde14 on March 11, 2007
  • Istanbul Page by realde14
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