Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Turkey  /  Istanbul  /  Basilica Cistern

Basilica Cistern, Istanbul

4.4

#3 of 5,973 in Things to do in Turkey

Architectural Building Ruin Must See

• ©
• ©
• ©
• © +7
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©
• ©

Explore the largest of hundreds of ancient cisterns located below the city at Basilica Cistern. This fascinating chamber of the underground water systems, commissioned in 532 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian, is remarkable for its practical and artistic value. After a complete renovation in the 1980s, the cistern became one of the most popular tourist sites in Istanbul's Sultanahmet district. Walk along the wooden platforms beneath the dark, vaulted ceilings of this cathedral-sized cistern and see its famous Medusa-head pillar and Hen's Eye column. Put Basilica Cistern at the forefront of your travel plans using our Istanbul holiday planning website .

more less

Create an itinerary including Basilica Cistern

Start planning

Unable to display map at this time. Please try again later.

© OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

Basilica Cistern Reviews

Rate this attraction

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

30,749 reviews

Google

4.5

• By MiaMilo689

  Love Basilica Cistern as it is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul... Also, Tom hanks play his movie "INFERNO" I cannot believe that I can make it to....  more »

• By KarlynByham

  Had high expecations this would be really cool to see, and I am glad we did, but there was very little water in the cistern, it was dark and not very large, and once we found the Meduses, it was a....  more »

View more on TripAdvisor »

Google

• By Yong Chieh Gooi

  Truly a wonderful, magnificent and inspirational place. A place to visit at least once in your life! How did they build this magnificent place underground holding the vital resource that is water? How did they dig such as place with huge numbers of columns to support the needs of the city of Constantinople? It’s truly amazing once you think about these and then imagine that this was built more than a thousand years ago. The place is beautiful, a sight to behold and a true masterpiece.

  more less
• By Leon Shi

  A hidden place to visit. (to me) Famous by the book of Inferno by Dan Brown. Wise to attend a guided tour to know more about the history and some interesting stories of the cistern. Otherwise it’s just a gigantic and hollow basement. My daughter was very obsessed about the stone carving of Medusa’s head and its fascinating story.

  more less

View more on Google »

Places to stay near Basilica Cistern

Plan your trip to Istanbul

• Get a personalized plan

  A complete day-by-day itinerary
  based on your preferences

• Customize it

  Refine your plan. We'll find the
  best routes and schedules

• Book it

  Choose from the best hotels
  and activities. Up to 50% off

• Manage it

  Everything in one place.
  Everyone on the same page.