The Basilica Cistern (built by Justinian)

The Basilica Cistern was the largest underground water source in Constantinople. Built by Justinian after the Nika riots the cistern served the population of the city for centuries. After the Ottoman conquest knowledge of the cistern seems to have disappeared before being discovered again.

This video is part of a series - 'The History of Byzantium goes to Istanbul.' In 2018 the listeners of the podcast funded a Kickstarter to send me to Istanbul. I documented many of the surviving Byzantine sites and have made videos about them.

#constantinople #justinian #basilica #cistern #istanbul #byzantium #byzantine

[Valencetheshireman]

Alongside Eastern Roman history you’re my favourite channel for Byzantine history. 👍

[rutledgesander]

This has to have been part of Tolkien’s inspiration for Moria.

[guadapineda]

Amazing place! I am in Istanbul at the moment and your videos are being great to watch before visiting the sites. Did you ever get to do one on the Forum of Theodosius?

[jodyrewa]

Fascinating, Robin! Is it scary to be down there?

[hannavirtanen]

Visited it, I agree, this is like the Mines of Moria! 😮

[zebrafish]

Honarable Romania (Byzantium) honorable Constantinople city of Constantine!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[lkrnpk]

What I find interesting that before euro Italy had lira and Turkey also has it as currency

[kidmohair]

Istamboul.
city of the world's desire.

[MisguidedPassenger]

How was the water pumped throughout the city?