Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern Located on the European side of Istanbul, it is the city's largest indoor cistern. It is entered from a small building to the southwest of the Hagia Sophia building. The ceiling of the place, which has the appearance of a column forest, is brick-built and cross-vaulted. The cistern was built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I.
One of the magnificent historical structures of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern, located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565), was called the Basilica Palace among the people because of the marble columns rising from the water and appearing to be countless. .
The cistern is a giant structure covering a rectangular area of 140 meters in length and 70 meters in width. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons.
According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Of these three sisters, the snake-headed Medusa has the power to turn those who look at her into stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect large buildings and private places at that time, and this is why the head of Medusa was placed in the cistern.
One of the magnificent historical structures of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern, located in the southwest of Hagia Sophia. This large underground cistern, built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565), was called the Basilica Palace among the people because of the marble columns rising from the water and appearing to be countless. .
The cistern is a giant structure covering a rectangular area of 140 meters in length and 70 meters in width. Covering a total area of 9,800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons.
According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Of these three sisters, the snake-headed Medusa has the power to turn those who look at her into stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect large buildings and private places at that time, and this is why the head of Medusa was placed in the cistern.
