Ancient Basilica Cistern - heritage of the Byzantine Empire

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

The unique underground reservoir strikes with its unusual beauty. This corner, located near Istanbul, has a very special atmosphere: huge columns resting against a deaf arch, standing in dark water, resemble an empty flooded palace.

Water storage

The Basilica Cistern (Istanbul), which was built in the 2nd century, has survived to our time in good condition. I must say that there were many such storage facilities, because the state of siege, in which the city often found itself, forced the townspeople to make huge reserves of water. The inhabitants of besieged Istanbul often died of thirst, and Emperor Constantine I ordered by his decree to create capacious reservoirs for life-giving moisture. And at that time a huge number of them were built, both underground and on its surface. But not all of them have survived to our time, many were destroyed, but the Basilica Cistern - the largest building of its kind - was a pleasant exception.

When Istanbul still bore the name of Constantinople and was not enslaved by Turkish troops, a basilica ("church" - translated from Greek) stood on the site of an underground water storage. It was not just a religious building: at different times it was a library, a university, and a courthouse. When the city came under the rule of the Turks, the reservoir changed its name, but not its purpose.

Curious columns

The Basilica Cistern (Istanbul) with dimensions of 140 x 70 meters holds approximately 100,000 tons of drinking water. The brick walls of the vault were covered with a special mortar to prevent their destruction. Water was delivered through built aqueducts from sources located far outside the city. Of great interest to visitors are the marble columns supporting the vault, many of which are unlike the others. The thing is that they were brought from different ancient temples, so their style, construction and even marble grades are different.

Particularly curious are the columns with the image of the Gorgon Medusa, whose gaze, according to legend, turned everyone into stone idols. Often her head was used as a defense against enemies, decorating weapons and facades of buildings. One of the columns is located on an inverted stone statue of the Gorgon, and under the second the sculpture lies on its side. Obviously, this is done so that her menacing look does not harm anyone. Until today, it is not known exactly where these unusual items were brought from.

The column, on the openwork patterns of which drops slowly flow, like tears mourning the slaves who died during the construction, also has its own history, however, invented specifically for tourists. Now, after making a cherished wish, each visitor puts his finger into a small hole and turns it 360 degrees. It is believed that after such a secret ritual, any dream comes true.

From Oblivion to Museum

After the arrival of the Turks in the 15th century, the Basilica Cistern began to be used exclusively for watering gardens, and then the building was completely abandoned. A century later, Europeans heard about the amazing building from the famous traveler Gillius, who was exploring Byzantine artifacts. Having learned about the strange underground structure, he studied its structure in detail and described it in his notes.

Later, the authorities remember the unique reservoir, carry out reconstruction and organize a museum that surprises visitors with an unusual setting. In the semi-darkness, in the clear water of the pool, in which even small fish live, tourists throw coins for good luck. The ancient Basilica Cistern, with its underground stone reservoir, resembles a scene from science fiction films with its mystical atmosphere.

By the way, fish were previously specially bred for the natural purification of drinking water, and now they attract the attention of all visitors with their golden sides, gleaming in the light of lanterns. And before, local residents, not knowing about the unique structure underground, were engaged in catching carp right from home,only by gouging small holes in the floor.

Basilica Cistern (Istanbul): opening hours and ticket price

Now the grandiose storage, which was built by 7 thousand slaves, is equipped after numerous reconstructions with all modern communications, a concrete floor was also poured and bridges were made for tourists around the entire perimeter of the reservoir.

Despite the fact that this is not the most popular tourist route, sometimes there are queues at the entrance. Therefore, the guides warn that it is best to come here when the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul opens or, conversely, closes its doors to the last visitors. Its opening hours are from 09:00 to 17:30 in winter, and in summer one hour is added to view impressive sights. On all religious holidays, the vault opens at 13:00. The ticket price for visitors is 7 euros, and for residents of Istanbul there is a 50% discount.

The Basilica of the Cistern is an interesting object not only for all fans of underground structures, it is a historical reminder of the greatness of the Byzantine Empire and a legacy left after the conquests of the Ottoman Empire.