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Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Hagia Sophia
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Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Topkapi Palace
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
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Basilica Cistern
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
Basilica Cistern
Blue Mosque
Hagia Sophia
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Day 1
Day 2
Go for: skip-the-line tickets
Duration: around 1 hour
Guide: Multilingual audio guide
Recommended tours:
Go for: guided tours
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Expert English-speaking tour guide and an audio guide in over 8 languages
Recommended tours:
Go for: combo tickets and Istanbul passes
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Expert English-speaking tour guide or an audio guide, depending on the ticket option
Recommended tours:
The ceiling of the Basilica Cistern is supported by 336 tall marble columns, each 9 meters high. Check out the interesting designs and strange patterns on these pillars, which are even older than the Basilica itself.
The Basilica Cistern has two Medusa heads at the base of two columns, with one positioned horizontally and the other inverted. These ancient artifacts capture attention with their unsettling aura and unclear historical background.
To commemorate the sacrifice of 7000 slaves during the construction of the cistern, a standalone pillar had been carved. Named the ‘Weeping Pillar’, it has trees, branches, and peacocks carved on its surface. It also resembles a hen’s eye with tears and angled branches.
Nowadays, the Basilica Cistern only has a shallow water level, letting visitors see the old structures that used to be underwater. The calm water creates beautiful reflections of the dimly-lit structures.
Open: every day of the year
Hours: 9 AM to 10 PM
Duration of visit: 30 mins to 1 hour
Best time to visit Basilica Cistern: April to May and September to October to enjoy pleasant temperatures in Istanbul.
Basilica Cistern timingsAddress: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih, Turkey.
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Here is the list of some of the best hotels near Basilica Cistern:
The Hagia Sophia Mosque is a standing testament to the changing dynasties in Istanbul. Originally built as a Greek Orthodox Church, the Hagia Sophia is now a grand mosque.
Visit the Hagia SophiaTopkapi Palace was built in the mid-15th century and was the royal residence and administrative center for the Ottoman Sultans for more than four centuries.
Visit the Topkapi PalaceThe Sultan Ahmed Mosque, popularly known as the Blue Mosque is known for its interior ceramic art, central dome, minarets, marble structures, and landscape art.
Visit the Blue MosqueThe Dolmabahce Palace boasts a fusion of European and Ottoman influences, with enormous chandeliers, well-maintained gardens, and lavish interiors.
Visit the Dolmabahce PalacePurchase Basilica Cistern tickets online because it is less time-consuming, saves money, and secures your spot in advance. You can also chance upon great deals and discounts when booking Basilica Cistern online tickets.
You can avail of Basilica Cistern skip the line tickets at €24. The Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are around €26. These tickets also allow you to skip ahead of long lines at the cistern.
There are 3 kinds of Basilica Cistern tours and tickets available for you to choose from- skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets. Basilica Cistern guided tours are perfect for exploring the cistern in depth while the combo tickets are perfect for visitors who want to plan a day trip in and around Sultanahmet. You can explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace along with the cistern.
Yes, you can avoid crowds and skip ahead of long lines with your Basilica Cistern tickets. Depending on the ticket you purchase, you can avail of an audio guide in over 8 languages with your skip-the-line tickets.
Yes, Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are available for purchase. You can choose between an English or Spanish-speaking tour guide. You can also enjoy priority access to the attraction with these guided tour tickets.
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul, Turkey, is an underground water storage system built during the 6th century. Constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, this underground cistern provided water to the nearby Great Palace of Constantinople and other important buildings in the city. It is an engineering marvel of the yesteryears that offers visitors a glimpse into Istanbul's past.
The long colonnades, dimly-lit interiors, the Medusa Heads, and the Weeping Column are some of the most interesting highlights of the Basilica Cistern. Each of these features has legends and anecdotes surrounding them.
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is located on Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih in Turkey.
The Basilica Cistern is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day throughout the year.
The Basilica Cistern has ramps and elevators to accommodate visitors with limited mobility. You can also bring prams and strollers inside the cistern.
While the cistern offers ramps and elevators for visitors on wheelchairs, you have to be very careful inside the underground cavern. Although the water has been drained during the restoration, the inside is still quite damp and slippery.
Yes, you can click pictures inside the Basilica Cistern. Try to avoid using tripods and other commercial equipment that may disturb other visitors.
Yes, since its restoration in the 20th century, the Basilica Cistern has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Istanbul. So booking tickets in advance to secure your spot is a smart choice.