Sight
Basilica Cistern
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La Basilica Cisterna, costruita nel VI secolo durante il regno dell'imperatore Giustiniano, è uno dei luoghi più suggestivi di Istanbul. I visitatori camminano su passerelle rialzate sopra acque basse, circondati da una foresta di colonne riflesse nella piscina debolmente illuminata. L'atmosfera inquietante della cisterna è accentuata dalle due teste di Medusa usate come basi delle colonne, una posta di lato e l'altra capovolta. Originariamente forniva acqua al Gran Palazzo, questo gioiello sotterraneo ospita ora concerti occasionali e installazioni artistiche, fondendo storia e cultura moderna.
Da non perdere
- Ammira le due teste di Medusa, una posta di lato e l'altra capovolta, le cui origini restano un mistero
- Percorri i sentieri rialzati e osserva il riflesso delle 336 colonne di marmo nell'acqua bassa
- Cerca la colonna 'Occhio di gallina', scolpita con motivi a goccia e un foro che si dice esaudisca i desideri
Biglietti e tour
Come visitare Basilica Cistern
Di solito puoi visitare da solo. Un tour vale la pena per trasporto, guida o abbinare attrazioni vicine in un giorno.
Il più economicoHagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Basilica Cistern tour4.8★ · 72 viaggiatori2-3 oreCancellazione gratuitaDa$23 a personaVedi date →
Più prenotatoIstanbul: Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia & opt. Cistern Tour4.9★ · 474 viaggiatori~3 oreCancellazione gratuitaDa$64 a personaVedi date →
Privato e flessibileIstanbul Guided Tour: Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern and More!5★ · 64 viaggiatori5-7 oreCancellazione gratuitaDa$105 a personaVedi date →Getting there
Da sapere prima di andare
- The cistern originally held water from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Centre in the Belgrade Forest, 19 km north, via the Valens and Mağlova aqueducts.
- The majority of columns were recycled from older buildings (spoliation), carved from different types of marble and granite.
- The cistern was used as a location for the 1963 James Bond film From Russia with Love.
- The cistern appears in the 2011 video game Assassin's Creed: Revelations and the 2013 Dan Brown novel Inferno.
Un po' di storia
The cistern was called Basilica because it sat beneath the Stoa Basilica, a large public square on the First Hill of Constantinople. Ancient texts indicate the site originally held a great basilica built during the Early Roman Age between the 3rd and 4th centuries as a commercial, legal, and artistic centre. Historical texts claim 7,000 slaves were involved in its construction. Its existence was eventually forgotten by all but locals until the French traveller Petrus Gyllius recorded it in 1565, noting being rowed between columns and seeing fish swimming beneath the boat.
Domande frequenti
How large is the Basilica Cistern?
It is an underground chamber approximately 138 metres by 65 metres, covering about 9,800 square metres, capable of holding 80,000 cubic metres of water.
Why is it called the Basilica Cistern?
It was called Basilica because it was located under a large public square called the Stoa Basilica on the First Hill of Constantinople.
What are the Medusa heads in the cistern?
Two column bases in the northwest corner reuse blocks carved with the face of Medusa. Their origin is unknown, but they are thought to have been brought from a late Roman building.
When was the cistern opened to the public?
It opened as a museum in 1987 after a major restoration that removed over 50,000 tons of silt and introduced elevated wooden walkways.
What restoration happened between 2020 and 2022?
A comprehensive restoration replaced iron tie-rods with stainless-steel compression rods, removed concrete walkways and cement render, revealed the original Byzantine brick floor, installed a new modular steel walkway, and added LED lighting and sensors.
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