Basilica Cistern
Yerebatan Sarnıcı
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The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey, is an ancient underground water storage facility built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century. Known for its impressive scale, the cistern measures approximately 138 meters by 64.6 meters, covering nearly 1,000 square meters and holding up to 80,000 cubic meters of water. It features 336 marble columns arranged in 12 rows of 28, many of which are recycled from older Roman structures. Among its notable features are the two Medusa head column bases, which attract significant attention due to their mysterious origins and placement. The cistern was originally constructed to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and other key buildings, serving as a crucial infrastructure element in the city's history.
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