13Basilica Cistern

This is the biggest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. It is also an unusual historical site. Built for Justinianus I in 532, this huge underground reservoir is about as large as two football fields end-to-end. It once provided water to the legendary Great Palace of Constantinople which was once the home of centuries of local emperors.

The palace is gone now. In 1545, however, the cistern was rediscovered. In 1985 it was renovated and opened as a tourist attraction. It’s highlighted by two upside-down Medusa heads.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Istanbul formerly known as Constantinople, is the largest city in Turkey, serving as the country’s economic, cultural and historic hub.

  2. Thanks for commenting but if you are going to quote Wikipedia, you really should note the source and use quotation marks.
    Sorry we had to delete your links.

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