Things to do in Istanbul | Basilica Cistern | Turkey | Travel Guide

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Things to do in Istanbul
Basilica Cistern - Turkey
Travel Guide

The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern or the Underground Cistern, is an ancient underground water storage tank located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I to provide water for the city's residents and buildings.

The cistern is a vast space, measuring 138 meters (453 feet) by 64.6 meters (212 feet), and capable of holding 80,000 cubic meters (2,800,000 cubic feet) of water. It is supported by a forest of 336 marble columns, each standing 9 meters (30 feet) tall, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns. The columns are believed to have been taken from ruined temples and buildings in the region.

The cistern's most famous features are the two Medusa heads that serve as the bases of two columns in the northwest corner of the cistern. The origins of these heads are uncertain, but they are believed to have been brought to the cistern from an ancient pagan site. According to legend, anyone who looks into the eyes of Medusa will be turned to stone.

Today, the Basilica Cistern is open to the public as a museum and tourist attraction. Visitors can walk along the raised wooden platforms that have been built to allow for easy viewing of the cistern's columns and water. The cistern has also been used as a filming location for various movies, including the James Bond film "From Russia with Love."
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