Sometimes you can catch a musical performance there on one of my trips to istanbul, we had caught the whirling dervishes here and it was an amazingly surreal experience. Sunken cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey. The basilica cistern is the largest of the ancient cisterns in istanbul and was built in the sixth century. Shooting equipment was nikon d80 digital camera, 10. Find the perfect basilica cistern istanbul stock photo. It wasnt until 1987, however, thanks to a clean up by the istanbul metropolitan municipality, that istanbuls visitors would be allowed to see what petrus gyllius had found over 400 years previously. Download this premium photo about basilica cistern in istanbul, and discover more than 4 million professional stock photos on freepik. Mar 09, 2015 nicknamed yerebatan sarayi, or the sunken palace in turkish, it is known in english as the basilica cistern because of its location on the site of an ancient basilica. Mar 24, 20 the entrance to the basilca cistern is very small and easy to miss. Top 10 istanbul hotels near turkish and islamic art museum. It is situated on the historical sarayburnu peninsula.
The cistern, located 150 metres 490 ft southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical peninsula of sarayburnu. The pictures that are taken for different angles are later combined using a computer to form a full. The 8th istanbul biennial, poetic justice, the istanbul. The largest and the grandest of them all is the basilica cistern, so called because it lay beneath the stoa basilica, a large byzantine public square. Be careful as its damp, so condensation makes the paths a bit slippery and the stairs too. The istanbul museum pass is a card provided by the government for tourists who want to visit some of the state museums. Its dimensions are 140 by 70 meters, and it is capable of holding 80. Basilica cistern is an underground cistern built by the late roman or early byzantine emperor justinian the great in constantinople during the 6th century. This book is about the byzantine monuments of istanbul, most notably, haghia sophia. A friend of ours had warned us not to miss the cistern, and she was absolutely right. Like most sites in istanbul, the cistern has an unusual history. Books byzantine monuments of istanbul cornucopia magazine.
After you managed to find this place and walk down the stairs to the ancient water reservoir that was built in. Cakmak, byzantine monuments of istanbul cambridge and new york. Mentioning that it can be observed when historical works are seen that istanbul played host to such a big civilization, uysal continued, istanbul became the capital, hosting three different civilizations. This amazing ancient water tank is impressive not just because of its planning, engineering and implementation, but also because it has lasted some 1,500 years. The historic place to be basilica cistern, istanbul. The remains of the land and sea walls, the hippodrome, imperial palaces, commemorative columns, reservoirs and cisterns, an aqueduct, a triumphal archway, a fortified port, and twenty churches are also described in chronological order in the context of their times. There is a small building next to the tram line, there leads the stairs down to the. Istanbul deluxe card for tourists istanbul welcome card. View of the basilica cistern known in turkish as yerebatan sarn. Concerts in a cistern basilica cistern, istanbul traveller. Nicknamed yerebatan sarayi, or the sunken palace in turkish, it is known in english as the basilica cistern because of its location on the site of an ancient basilica. The cistern, located 150 metres 490 ft southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical peninsula of sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of byzantine emperor justinian i.
Emperor justinian i commissioned his city prefect longinus to build it. Pdf the use of water cisterns has been traced back to the neolithic age. The basilica cistern, or cisterna basilica turkish. He graduated from kuleli military high school in istanbul, earned a degree in english philology at the university of istanbul in 1985, became an army officer, and taught english as a second language for a while. The cistern was giant holding tank for water that had been piped in from outside the city walls by means of a series of aqueducts and tunnels that ran from the belgrade forest, 25 kilometers16 miles away. Thus writing the history of the aqueduct system means in effect rewriting the history of the city. Basilica cistern is an underground cistern built by the late roman or early byzantine emperor justinian the. Basilica cistern, istanbul history, facts, opening hours. Known locally as yerebatan sarayi meaning sunken palace or yerebatan sarnici sunken cistern, this underground water cistern was the major water reservoir of constantinople. Basilica cistern, istanbul, turkey basilica cistern. And now after more than 1,500years of its eminent existence, the eastern roman infrastructural ambit is also set to undergo restoration through an ambitious 450day project to be conducted by hera restoration. I researched the incredible story of medusa, realizing there is a very feminist psychological interpretation of the tale. Hidden beneath the streets of istanbul is the hauntingly beautiful basilica cistern, a 6thcentury relic. However, we went about 9am and there was a very short queue.
On the other hand, the role of cisterns in istanbul decreased during. The basilica cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of byzantine emperor justinian to serve as water storage for his own palace and other. Architecture and ritual in the churches of constantinople. The cistern is located at the sultanahmet square, when you are about to reach the sultanahmet square on the right bank you will see the basilica cistern. What famous example of byzantine architecture has been both a christian church and a mosque.
After a trip to the basilica cistern i found that it was an ideal shelter contradicting many conditions of the outside world. Project muse byzantine monuments of istanbul by john. Subterranean cistern, is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul, turkey. However, it was easy to find on our own after the tour of sultanahmet. Panorama shootings for the basilica cistern were done in the year 2007. This book is about the byzantine monuments of istanbul, including more than 20 churches, most notably haghia sophia, as well as the remains of the land and sea walls, the hippodome, imperial palaces, commemorative columns, reservoirs and cisterns, an aqueduct, a triumphal archway and a fortified port. The cistern is a huge underground room that measures about 8 metres 453 ft by 64. Istanbul basilica cistern, a suggestive journey beneath the. This basilica is believed to have been built sometime in the 3 rd or 4 th centuries b. You can visit the underground cistern either with our one day in istanbul or istanbul. The basilica cistern, one of istanbuls most unusual tourist attractions.
The basilica cistern is the largest of the ancient cisterns in istanbul and was built in the sixth. Just drag the mouse to the direction you want to look. It employs archaeological and archival data, hagiographic and historical sources, liturgical texts and commentaries, and monastic typika and. There are hundreds of ancient cisterns under the city and this one is the largest. And it is definitely as interesting and fascinating.
Visit the world famous historical monuments of istanbul with a local specialist. Step into its shadowy depths with karine to explore its many secrets. It is called the basilica cistern, because of its presumed location underneath the roman ilius basilica which stood here. The basilica cistern, or cisterna basilica is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul, turkey. Several times we passed it and did not go in due to the long line. Istanbuls underground basilica cistern yerebatan saray. The largest and the grandest of them all is the basilica cistern, so called because it lay beneath the stoa. Istanbul basilica cistern, a suggestive journey beneath.
The citys most unexpectedly romantic attraction, it offers an interesting insight into the complicated system that once brought drinking water into istanbul from thrace. A wonder unto itself basilica cistern, istanbul traveller. Sep 30, 2008 am glad you featured the basilica cistern as part of your istanbul visit. The theodosius cistern, which was restored by the istanbul metropolitan municipality ibb, has recently opened. Aug 17, 2011 serif yenen was born in odemisizmir in 1963. Istanbuls constantinople 6th century basilica cistern. Apr 04, 2016 when istanbul was constantinople during the period of the great roman, and later byzantium empire, hundreds of subterranean cisterns were built underneath the streets and houses to store water. The cistern, located 500 feet 150 m southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical p. Constantinople was the capital of the byzantine empire from 330 until 1453, and was renowned for the beauty and grandeur of its churches and palaces. You can find much more on the citys underground attractions in the book the world beneath istanbul by ersin kalkan. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns under the city of istanbul formerly constantinople, turkey.
The incredible subterranean basilica cistern ancient origins. Jan 14, 2016 the basilica cistern the largest surviving cistern in istanbul was thus rediscovered and back on the map. Built in 532 by justinian, this is the largest surviving cistern in the city. An historian will find this book problematic, but that does not necessarily make it a bad book. Oct 01, 20 basilica cistern was not on the itinerary for the day tour we booked. Istanbuls basilica cistern yerebatan sarnici, submerged palace in turkish is the largest underground cistern in this beautiful turkish city. Upside down medusa statue at the underground cistern of istanbul. Basilica cistern, istanbul pdf basilica cistern is the largest underground ancient cistern in istanbul, turkey the cavernous depths of the basilica cistern aka yerebatan saray.
The basilica cistern yerebatan saray is a subterranean wonder and one of the greatest and certainly the biggest of istanbuls surviving byzantine sites. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that still lie beneath the city of istanbul, former constantinople, turkey. Istanbul has a rich history reflected in its wealth of stunning architecture. Project muse byzantine monuments of istanbul by john freely. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. What famous example of byzantine architecture has been. Sarnic or sunken palace today is a atmospherically spotlighted massive underground water cavern of beautiful arches and roman support columns and their watery reflections, and used to be the byzantine citys main water storage under siege or in hard times. Constantinople was the capital of the byzantine empire from 330 until 1453, and was renowned. It has hundreds of decorated columns and is a simply breathtaking piece of architecture.
Apr 27, 2018 after the basilica cistern and cistern of philoxenos, the theodosius cistern has been added to the list. Frankincense, the fourth of the lymond chronicles books by dorothy dunnett. In addition to general information about the basilica cistern yerebatan. The basilica cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of istanbul, turkey. Photo source it may be pointed out that the name of this cistern is derived from the fact that it stands under the site where a roman basilica a large, open, public building where business or legal transactions could be carried out once stood. Eye catching is a site specific work that responds to the medusa heads in the yerebatan cistern. This book examines the interchange of architecture and ritual in the middle and late byzantine churches of constantinople ninth to fifteenth centuries. Basilica cistern istanbul, turkey location, facts, history. With its imposing columns, grand scale and mysterious ambience, this subterranean site seems like a flooded palace, but it is in fact a former water storage chamber. The entrance to the basilca cistern is very small and easy to miss. Turkey launches covid19 free certification to promote tourism.
This is the story of the byzantine monuments of istanbul, the city known in the medieval period as constantinople and in classical antiquity as byzantium. The basilica cistern is also called the sunken cistern, and it is found in istanbul, turkey. Underground bascilica cistern istanbul travel information. Underground cistern istanbul tour studio istanbul guide. Nov 09, 2019 history of istanbuls basilica cistern istanbuls basilica cistern yerebatan sarnici, submerged palace in turkish is the largest underground cistern in this beautiful turkish city. The cistern was constructed in the sixth century when the byzantine emperor justinian i ruled. Such calmness and awe prevailed when we gingerly took the slippery steps down into the cistern, after hectic visits to the latter. The water was transported from the belgrade forest by the immense byzantine aqueducts valens aqueducts. Sophia church ayasofya museum in istanbul by serif yenen. The basilica cistern was actually the reservoir for the prodigious quantity of water required for the byzantine great palace, and it is thought to date back to the reign. The basilica cistern, also known as the sunken palace or yerebatan sarayi in turkish, was constructed by justinian in 532 to supply water to the byzantine palace primarily. The reception of isntabul welcome card ask me to download the app. Built around 500 ad, this was meant to store water for the. The cistern, located 500 feet 150 m southwest of the hagia sophia on the historical p mar 22, 2016 the basilica cistern turkish.
The incredible basilica cistern of istanbul when istanbul was constantinople during the period of the great roman, and later byzantium empire, hundreds of subterranean cisterns were built underneath the streets and houses to store water. The museum pass is valid for 120 hours 5 days, which start counting after you use it for the first time. The largest cistern in the city of istanbul, built underneath the stoa basilica. This istanbul underground cistern is the size of a cathedral. When you want to escape the dust and the chaos and noise of istanbul or the summer heat go to the basilica cistern. According to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. It is not far from one of istanbuls main attractions. As water of black sea and marmara sea is not appropriate for drinking, it was a. Basilica cistern provided water storage during roman times in istanbul, turkey, then known as constantinople posted on january 10, 2014 by barbara weibel 8 comments. Find highquality basilica cistern stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images.
Basilica cistern or better known as yerebatan sarayi is a very authentic place and a must see in istanbul. Theodosius cistern, a witness to istanbuls long history. Do the full walk around of the cistern to see the medusa columns. The cistern can hold 80,000 cubic metres 21,000,000 us gal of water. It was one of the highlights of our tour of the city last march after the topkapi and aya sofia. Guided museums pass is an option, built by the istanbul tourist pass team, as a response to huge demand for a product that includes skip the line admission, only to top museums with the comfort of a live guide in english. And enjoy there on both floors climb up to the gallery for second floor, watch the wonderful mosaic spent around 1 hour after st sophia pass to the right way and walk to the other side of the tramway, there is the basilica cistern. Books are post free to subscribers anywhere in the world. Jan 07, 2017 according to a statistical report entailing international tourists, the basilica cistern is the third most visited site in turkey. Press f9 to get a list of the 3d sites you downloaded residing in the same directory. When youre done, you can download your istanbul travel guide to your phone or tablet, or print it as a pdf. Basilica cistern with images istanbul, turkey travel. The basilica cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of byzantine emperor justinian to serve as water storage for his own palace and other buildings around it.
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