Basilica Cistern

1. The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground water storage system located in Istanbul, Turkey. It was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I.
2. The cistern covers an area of approximately 9,800 square meters and has a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water.
3. The cistern was used to store water for the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings in the city. It was also used as a source of water during sieges.
4. The cistern is supported by 336 columns, which are arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each. The columns are made of various materials, including marble and granite, and have different designs.
5. Some of the columns in the cistern have decorative carvings, including the famous "Medusa heads." These are two columns that have the head of Medusa carved into their base. The origin of the Medusa heads is unknown, but they are thought to have been brought from a pagan temple and used as a symbol of power.
6. The cistern was forgotten for centuries after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453. It was rediscovered in the 16th century by a traveler named Petrus Gyllius, who noticed locals drawing water from a small hole in the ground.
7. Today, the Basilica Cistern is a popular tourist attraction in Istanbul. Visitors can walk along a raised platform above the water and admire the columns and carvings. The cistern has also been used as a filming location for several movies, including the James Bond film "From Russia with Love."