The Basilica Cistern

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2905 reviews

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Level 17 Local Expert

Just magnificent and amazing man made masterpiece. Whoever visits Istanbul,.ust visit this place. Especially kids will be in awe seeing this place. My daughter enjoyed a lot

Anastasiia A.

Level 4 Local Expert

Despite the expensive tourist tickets, it’s a very beautiful and interesting attraction! There are few people, and there are many illuminated attractions.

Emile

Level 7 Local Expert

It's incredible place. You must be visiting this landmark! The huge columns, the mysterious twilight, and the dripping water create a feeling as if you have entered another world.

Olcay Özfırat

Level 29 Local Expert

Entrance is paid. 80 TL for adult, 30 TL for students. Expect a queue of approximately half an hour. Basilica Cistern, also known as the Basilica, built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565) in 532, attracts attention with its seemingly countless marble columns rising from the water. The cistern, where 7 thousand slaves were employed during construction, was completed in 38 years. This giant structure, which covers a rectangular area with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters, has the capacity to store approximately 100 thousand tons of water. There are 336 columns inside the cistern, each 9 meters high. 98 of these columns reflect the Corinthian style, and some reflect the Doric style. The two Medusa Heads used as pedestals under two columns (one placed sideways and the other upside down) are masterpieces of Roman Period sculpture art and are the structures that attract the most attention of those who visit the cistern. Due to their religious beliefs, the Ottoman people preferred flowing water over stagnant water. For this reason, the cistern was used for irrigation for a long time after the conquest of Istanbul and remained idle when the Ottoman Empire started to establish and use its own water facilities. P. Gyllius, of French origin, came to Istanbul, to the palace of Suleiman the Magnificent, in 1544, representing the King of France, François I, in order to collect valuable manuscripts for the library of the Kingdom of France. Gyllius is so fascinated by Istanbul that he says, "All cities in the world are doomed to die, but Istanbul will live as long as people exist." While wandering around Hagia Sophia, Gyllius hears that people get water from the wells inside their houses and even fish. In fact, Gyllius is interested in ichthyology, the science of fish. Perhaps the subject of “fishing” impressed him and thus he asked: “What is there in this area with water underneath?” He thought and did his research. In the walled courtyard of a large wooden house known to the public, he sees stone steps leading underground. Taking a torch in his hand, he goes down these steps. He encounters a huge cistern below. In the following days, he descends to this cistern again and again and begins to wander on the water in a boat. He takes the measurements of the cistern and identifies the columns. He visited many important historical monuments of Istanbul until 1547, when he stayed in the city, and wrote very important books about the Bosphorus and the monuments he visited. These writings were published by his nephew in 1561-62, after Gyllius' sudden death. Although it is not known exactly where and for what purpose the Medusa heads used as pedestals under the columns in the cistern were brought, there are some opinions about this: According to a legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgona sisters, female monsters of the underworld in Greek mythology. Snake-headed Medusa has the power to turn those who look at her to stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect large buildings and special places at that time. This is why the head of Medusa was placed in the cistern. According to another rumor, Medusa; She was a girl who was proud of her black eyes, long hair and beautiful body. Medusa loved Zeus' son Perseus. Meanwhile, Athena also loved Perseus and was jealous of Medusa. That's why Athena turned Medusa's hair into snakes. Now everyone Medusa looked at turned into stone. Later, Perseus cut off Medusa's head and had the opportunity to defeat many of his enemies by taking advantage of her power. Based on this, the Head of Medusa was engraved on sword hilts in Byzantium and placed upside down on column bases (to prevent ministers from being cut into stone). According to another rumor, Medusa looked sideways and turned herself into stone. That's why the sculptor who made the statue here made Medusa in three different positions according to the reflection angles of light.

Angelika

Level 8 Local Expert

A visit to the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı) in Istanbul is an immersion into the mysterious atmosphere of an ancient underground structure. Built in the 6th century, the cistern impresses with its scale and architecture. Columns supporting the vaulted ceiling evoke a sense of grandeur and antiquity. Particularly noteworthy are the Medusa heads adorning two columns, adding a mystical charm. The quiet sound of water and dim lighting enhance the feeling of magic and mystery. The Basilica Cistern is perfect for those who want to touch history and enjoy a unique ambiance.

Yusup

Level 7 Local Expert

It has history that you should know to know about Istanbul but it is indeed expensive, there are lots of other free basilisks you can go, which you will get to know after visiting this expensive one))

Александра

Level 6 Local Expert

Very beautiful, a lot of people, overpriced. There are similar places with better cost.

Юлия М.

Level 9 Local Expert

It gets pretty crowded with locals on weekends, but you can easily get there on weekdays. I think the place is a little overpriced, but I don’t regret visiting it.

Николай

Level 9 Local Expert

History place, must see, but 40 EUR is too much imho) 6-7 will be norm)

Michael

Level 6 Local Expert

Highly recommend for visiting. Absolutely worth it. Entrance fee is 1200 Turkish lira. There is also audial guide available for extra 200 lira.

Gökhan Yalçın

Level 9 Local Expert

Most beatiful place of İstanbul.

Юлия

Level 13 Local Expert

Fascinating.

Dmitry

Level 6 Local Expert

Very interesting

Mehran Hoodeh

Level 6 Local Expert

A highly energetic place.

Gokhan Ayalp

Level 8 Local Expert

Magnificient. Especially thinking the time of construction🙏

Милена Г.

Level 6 Local Expert

Must see

Михаил Л.

Level 12 Local Expert

Great place to have a look at the civilization foundation.

A. S.

Level 5 Local Expert

Very lovely place but expensive for tourists and we waited 1 hour to go into.

Шавкат

Level 11 Local Expert

Interesting place

Mizrob B.

Level 4 Local Expert

good

Андрей

Level 8 Local Expert

Beautiful place

Александр Дрейк

Level 28 Local Expert

Crowded. But nice to see this place

Юлия Бальдинкинова

Level 15 Local Expert

A fascinating sight

Ahmet Şenyaşa

Level 7 Local Expert

Magnificent

Натали

Level 15 Local Expert

The Basilica cistern stands out among other underground cisterns in Istanbul for its grandiose size, unique architecture, the presence of columns with Medusa heads, central location and excellent preservation. It is not only an engineering marvel, but also an important historical monument of the city. It is better to visit in the evening . In the evening, there are fewer visitors in the cistern, and the dim lighting creates a mysterious, almost mystical atmosphere. The sounds of dripping water and the echo of footsteps enhance the feeling of immersion in the ancient world.…

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Orfeya

Level 10 Local Expert

Hiding under the bustling streets of Istanbul is a real underground palace from the tales of the Thousand and One Nights — the ancient Cisterna Basilica reservoir, built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I to protect the city from drought and sieges. Inside the vaulted hall, at a depth of 10-12 meters, there are 336 antique columns 9 meters high. Two columns in the corner are supported by inverted bas—reliefs of Medusa Gorgon - the architects specially placed them sideways and upside down so that no one would be petrified by the monster's gaze. Another of the columns is covered with patterns in the form of tears — according to legend, she cries for the slaves who died on a heavy construction site, this is the so-called Weeping Column. Scenes from the James Bond film "From Russia with Love" and the film adaptation of Dan Brown's "Inferno" were shot here. Tickets are far from cheap: 2250 TL, but it's worth a look! The Basilica cistern is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.It is included there not as a separate object, but as the most important part of the large-scale complex "Historical Districts of Istanbul", which has been under the protection of the organization since 1985. UNESCO especially marks it as an outstanding monument of Byzantine engineering and a key element of the ancient hydraulic engineering system of the city. By the way, there are several cisterns in Istanbul, there are free ones to visit, but none can compare with the Basilica.

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Александра

Level 8 Local Expert

08/31/26 The Standard tripcom ticket cost 4919 rub. For one. I downloaded the audio guide separately from the package tour (there is a link in the package description). After the purchase, a QR code will be sent to the mail and in the application, which must be presented to the employees with a scanner at the entrance. There are two queues at the entrance to the building, if you stand facing the building, then everyone who goes to the ticket office is on the left side, and those with electronic tickets are on the right side. You need a QR code on the right. There was almost no queue at 4 p.m., it passed instantly. It's a very monumental and interesting place. But 5000 rubles for 20 minutes of a guide and one lap inside is expensive, in my opinion.

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Михаил Кандыбин

Level 10 Local Expert

The Basilica cistern is a very significant landmark in Istanbul, it is unique and very authentic! For a very long time I wanted to visit the Basilica Cistern, but it is very often closed... and now I have succeeded (end of June 2026). The entrance ticket costs 50 USD, and you can only pay with an International Card, but it is definitely worth it!!! Inside there is a huge space with antique columns (from the ancients ancient Greek temples) supporting the ceiling, the floor is filled with water, but above the water there are decking for visitors! I recommend this object to all history lovers to visit!!!

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Анастасия Павлюк

Level 13 Local Expert

A very beautiful and interesting place! It is located near Topkapi. Passage inside is fast for online tickets purchased. It's very humid inside. The attraction itself is open until 18:30. The examination takes about half an hour. Therefore, if you buy tickets in a package with other excursions, it doesn't take much time to visit the attraction itself. But it can take a long time to get from one location to another.

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Ludmila Balandina

Level 11 Local Expert

An impressive and ancient landmark with incredible energy and atmosphere! But once upon a time, the Basilica Cistern was the largest underground reservoir supplying the whole of Istanbul! I definitely recommend you to visit. We were in Istanbul for 6 days, and this location is one of the first we visited, and we didn't regret a second. Going down feels like you're in a completely different dimension. The depth of the cistern is about 12 meters, and the dim lighting creates a truly mythical atmosphere :) I'll warn you right away that tickets are not cheap: it cost us about 8 thousand rubles to enter for two, and this is just the entrance, without a tour. We took a 5-hour walking tour with a Turkish guide, so down here he told us the history of this ancient place in great detail. They left the Tank under the impression!)

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Mari Mari

Level 19 Local Expert

This is one of the most memorable places in the city. I must say right away about the organization: we bought tickets quickly right at the entrance, there was practically no queue, so we got inside without any problems. It's incredibly atmospheric inside. A huge underground space with illuminated columns creates the feeling that you are in the scenery for a movie or in some ancient fairy-tale world. This place is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes, no pictures on the Internet convey this scale and mystery. On the downside, there are still a lot of people. The flow of tourists is dense, and because of this, it can be difficult to find a moment to take a beautiful photo without strangers in the frame. I had to seize the right moment or wait until the space was free. But despite the crowd, I was completely delighted. A must-see for anyone traveling to Istanbul!

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Юнус Д.

Level 7 Local Expert

a must-visit place. Its atmosphere is in stark contrast to everything you've seen in Istanbul on the surface. A cool, mysterious space that seems to exist outside of time. To truly understand the idea of this place and visually trace how the transition from the ancient world to the monotheistic era is reflected through the architecture of one building, I recommend going here with a guide. Wandering through the corridors of the cistern, at some point you start to feel like a character in "Inferno" with Tom Hanks. The semi-darkness, endless rows of columns, reflections of water and the muffled echo of footsteps create the feeling that reality has remained somewhere above, but here time flows according to its own laws.

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Николай Т.

Level 30 Local Expert

In three days in Istanbul, this is the best place we have visited. 👌 Beautiful views, gorgeous location and just an incredible atmosphere. You don't want to rush here, but just walk around and enjoy every corner. 📸 I recommend visiting separately with a guide or as part of an excursion. This allows you not to stand in huge queues and significantly saves time. 👍 It was one of the most vivid impressions of the trip for us. A must-visit!

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Олеся

Level 30 Local Expert

The Basilica Cistern is an ancient underground reservoir. You feel a certain mystical feeling inside. The scale is amazing: huge columns are hidden deep underground, and vaults and columns are reflected in the dark water, creating the illusion of infinity. The Basilica is far from the only cistern in Istanbul. About 40 cisterns were found under the Topkapi Palace alone. Once upon a time, such underground reservoirs were part of the vital water supply system of the city. A few numbers to get a feel for the scale: - the columns stand at a distance of about 4.8 m from each other - 12 rows of 28 columns - each one is about 8 meters high - a total of 336 columns support the vaulted ceiling - the brick walls are up to 4 m thick and are covered with a special waterproof mortar Today, ordinary life continues above this grandiose structure. This is the whole of Istanbul, a city where the past continues to exist inside the modern city. 🖤

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Ирина Кузина

Level 17 Local Expert

I liked it very much. We were with a Satellite group as part of a sightseeing tour, and it was quick. We were lucky with the guide, he told us very interestingly, showed us where the wells for water intake were, where the water came from to the storage and told us why all the columns are different. I definitely recommend you to visit.

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Катерина Родина

Level 30 Local Expert

It's a very atmospheric place. Payment at the entrance is by card only. But there was a special person who paid with his own, and we gave him cash. All without cheating. Under calculation. The queue was small, but this is the morning, I think there will be a tourist raid closer to lunch. As it is, everyone is walking along suspension tracks, in the same direction. So take pictures of what you like and you won't come back right away. So the columns are a very pleasant place, the semi-darkness, the mood is created. The price tag is not divine, in principle, just like everywhere else.

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Руслан Ф.

Level 5 Local Expert

Rating: 3/5 The Basilica Cistern itself is not bad: it impresses as an engineering structure — the powerful structure, columns, scale and atmosphere of the underground reservoir. For the first visit to Istanbul, you can see it, but the price, in my opinion, is very high. We paid about 40 euros per person, and the object is definitely not worth the money. Previously, there were art objects inside, which, according to reviews, added to the impressions, but now they have been removed. At the same time, the cost of the visit has increased. A separate disadvantage for tourists: you can only pay for admission by bank transfer. If there is no suitable bank card, it is virtually impossible to get inside. Later we learned that there are other historical cisterns in Istanbul, including more affordable or free ones. Therefore, if the budget is limited, I advise you to consider alternatives first.

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Анна Анна

Level 6 Local Expert

It's a very atmospheric place. There are a lot of people, but the queue is coming up quickly. You can also move around the Tank, walk along the paths, and no one interferes with the view. I came across the fact that tickets are not sold for cash. Payment by card only. There was a whole quest for me to buy tickets. There are questionable people standing next to the entrance and they offer to go through for cash, but I didn't take advantage of their offer. At least once, when you are in Sambula, you need to get into the Tank. The experience is unforgettable!

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Викки 🙃

Level 30 Local Expert

The Basilica Cistern is another of the most striking sights of Istanbul. I can say that here you will get an incredible boost of energy and emotions. I was impressed by the architecture and construction of this unique place! But let's take it in order😊 title. Previously, in the place where the underground Cistern of the Basilica is now located, the Basilicas of Ilius (basilica from the Greek "public building") were located on the surface. The Cistern itself (from the Greek "reservoir") it was built under it a little later. It turns out that the Basilica Cistern literally translates as "the underground reservoir under the Basilica." A BIT OF HISTORY. The construction went on for quite a long time (it is understandable why) from 306 to 532 (226 years!!!). The Basilica Cistern is an underground reservoir that has served for almost 1,000 years. Thanks to the aqueducts, water was regularly supplied here. It is located in the historical center of the city, opposite the Hagia Sophia Cathedral, next to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace. architecture. The tank depth is 12 m. The volume of the contained water is up to 90,000 cubic meters. The length and width are 140x70 m. The walls are almost 4 m thick! ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS. The Basilica cistern consists of 336 columns with a height of 8 m each. It has a total of 12 rows of 28 columns each. The same temperature of +16 degrees is maintained here all year round (it's cool enough, don't forget to bring your sweaters). By the way, you can see this landmark in the good old 1963 film "From Russia with Love." OUR DAYS. Today, the Basilica Cistern is a museum that is visited annually by an average of 2.5 million tourists per year. You can see many beautiful fish of various sizes in the water. In addition, the Cistern is decorated with various sculptures: the head of the Gorgon Jellyfish (the brightest and most memorable, see photo), the figure of a female image, jellyfish, etc. Various events are held here every year.: exhibitions, musical concerts, theatrical productions Perhaps the most vivid thing I've told you. Visit the Basilica Cistern and write your reviews.

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Максим Варламов

Level 10 Local Expert

We visited with a guide, so we didn't stand in line. It is a very interesting place both in terms of functionality and historical value, and the history of the construction of such facilities, their scale, and the engineering skills of the ancient builders are very intriguing. I recommend you to visit.

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)))

Level 19 Local Expert

I dreamed of coming here, I was a little disappointed that there were no audio guides, although there was information on the website, there was no music and the price was very, very high, it was impossible to buy tickets online, I had to go and take them at the box office, on the website 1950lr, at the box office 2250lr. There is an alternative tank of Feodosia, the price is twice cheaper and beautiful! I made a beautiful video for myself for Rils, but you have to be able to do it! If you decide to go, go to 8-30, the queue will be small.

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Максим

Level 11 Local Expert

The ticket is 4,500 lire for two people in September 2026. The examination takes 30 minutes. They don't give you an offline audio guide - download it in advance or buy an online ticket, it's included there. An audio guide is needed in advance because there are no signs inside and the Internet is not working. The columns are impressive, the place is from a different era and very different from the rest of historical Istanbul, it's worth going 1 time.

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Таня Марахтанова

Level 4 Local Expert

It's a very interesting and beautiful place. This tank has a very interesting origin story. There are also interesting figures in the form of medusa gargons. At the entrance, you can toss a coin and make a wish. There is a souvenir shop with books about Istanbul in different languages. There are a lot of interesting installations and exhibits. The ticket is not expensive, but the queues are long. The architecture is beautiful.

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Анастасия Вялова

Level 14 Local Expert

A unique ancient cistern for storing water in Constantinople. It partly consists of ancient Greek columns taken from destroyed temples. Therefore, many columns are decorated with carved capitals. A great place for a photo, the blue-green backlight of the water plays beautifully.

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Алина Хечоян

Level 9 Local Expert

Unfortunately, the repeated visit left negative impressions. All the installations have been removed, except for the Gorgon Medusa, which stands in the shade, unlit. I understand that this is due to the transfer of the facility to the state. property of Turkey, but then what to watch? At the same time, the cost of a visit per person is 2,500 lira (approximately 4,000 rubles).

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Елена Волкова

Level 8 Local Expert

A fascinating place! Once in a lifetime worth a visit)) The ticket was taken through the application, because we heard that you can only purchase it on the spot with a foreign bank card. There is a long queue at the entrance, even on a weekday, there are a lot of people running, but there is no point in walking downstairs for a long time, so the whole crowd resolves after a while. The place is majestic!

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Ольга П.

Level 8 Local Expert

We liked it. I can't say that I would go a second time, but it's definitely worth a look once. The geometry of reflections in water is very interesting. The water covers the bottom by only a few cm, but the reflection creates the effect of an underwater city. It feels different in different places of the basilica, and you need to focus your attention to see it. It is transmitted in the photo, but not as in person.

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Галина Е.

Level 20 Local Expert

When we visited it in 2019, it was a very gloomy historical place under reconstruction. Now it is a full-fledged art object. It has become much more colorful and interesting, but the historical spirit has disappeared. Be sure to visit. One of the disadvantages is queues at the entrance. One of the advantages is wonderful objects for photos. By the time of April 12, 2026, everything had become much more boring. Back in 2025, the art objects were in place and the light show was turned on on a regular basis, it was very beautiful. Now it has been postponed to the time after 19 hours. Maybe the art objects are being taken out at this time... Apart from the jellyfish with the broken ceiling lights, there was nothing left for the gorgon jellyfish. If you buy tickets at the vending machine, you will pass without queuing. The tickets are very expensive, but there is nothing to admire. It's better to find a smaller tank, that is, with free admission.

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Максим

Level 30 Local Expert

The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı tour, "Underground Palace") is one of the most mysterious and atmospheric places in Istanbul. This ancient underground reservoir, built during the Byzantine Empire, has now become a popular museum, attracting tourists from all over the world. The construction of the cistern began in the 4th century under Emperor Constantine I and was completed in 532 under Justinian I. The facility was intended to store supplies of drinking water in case: droughts; The siege of the city; interruptions in the water supply system. The water came here via aqueducts (including the famous aqueduct of Valens) from a distance of about 20 km. During the heyday of Byzantium, the cistern supplied water to the Grand Palace and other buildings in the center of Constantinople. After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, the building gradually fell into disrepair. It was forgotten for centuries, until European travelers discovered this place in the 16th century. Large‑scale excavations and restoration began only in the 1980s, when the cistern was cleared of silt and debris and opened to the public. The cistern impresses with its scale and the engineering thought of the ancient builders: Dimensions: 138 × 65 m; Capacity: about 80,000 cubic meters of water; The vaulted ceiling is supported by 336 columns 8 meters high, arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns.; The columns have different heights and origins — many were brought from ancient temples and differ in style (Doric, Corinthian, Ionic orders). The "Weeping Column" (or "Column of Tears") is decorated with carved ornaments and is constantly wet, which gave rise to the belief that if you put your finger in the hole and turn it 360°, the wish will come true. Two columns with the heads of the Gorgon Medusa at the base — they were placed upside down (face down), according to one version, to neutralize the mythical power of Medusa's gaze, according to another — just as ready-made architectural elements from earlier buildings. Today, the cistern is illuminated with subdued light, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The water at the bottom (the level is artificially maintained) reflects the columns, and light music complements the feeling of immersion in the past. The narrow passages between the columns and the play of shadows enhance the impression of mystery. Since 1987, the cistern has been functioning as a museum. There are regular events here: exhibitions; classical music concerts; cultural events. The place has become a popular movie location — for example, it appears in the movie "Inferno" (2016) based on the novel by Dan Brown.

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Елена

Level 9 Local Expert

We were in early June 2024, and we got here by accident, without an excursion. And we were very impressed! Incredible power and scale underground. When you see all this with your own eyes, it's really amazing that people created such structures many centuries ago. I recommend you to visit

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