Basilica Cistern

Make sure you check out the upside-down Medusa head which forms the bottom of one of the cistern’s columns . The Byzantine builders used the Roman relic as building material!

Great (spooky) atmosphere that makes for magnificent photos & a coolness (literally) to match. The preservation of history is done remarkably. Tip: watch your step as some parts can be extra slippery.

It's one of the best places I visited in Istanbul. I reminded me of the last part of the Inferno novel . And don't leave without a Muslim costume picture!

A worthwhile tourist attraction to visit in Istanbul is the ancient Basilica Cistern, the Sunken Palace with the snake-haired mysterious Medusa heads within.

A tremendous attraction not on every guide book . An amazing feet of engineering , atmospheric and right next to Ayasofya and the Blue Mosque . Easy to fit it in along with the other two.

Very intriguing ! Loved this place!

Underground water tanks, it is kinda dark and witty. Amazing historical place to visit, it was not included in the museums pass. don't miss Medusa Big Stone at the backe.

there’s not too much to see, but the atmosphere is trully unique. the dripping water and the pensive fishes , like forgotten souls. and second-hand columns . plus it’s not cheap

Crowd makes it better cuz you can use others' flashes for your own photos.Medusa heads & crying column are must see in this eerie, dark place.Thrilling lament sounding music and cold air is here!

Other than the much hyped about Medusa heads , don't forget to check out this spot near the cafe - it looks amazing + the columns are different here !! .. ohhh and don't forget to feed the fishes !!

Beautiful and mysterious is Yerebatan Sarayi "Sunken Palace " It's the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, located 500 feet southwest of the Hagia Sophia

Definetely must see in Istanbul old town . Used to be a water collection underground place. Dont miss crying column and medusa

Post restoration looking fab but the light show is a bit strange, plunging everything into total darkness every few minutes. Get the skip the line tickets in peak times

You can safely skip getting the audio guide . There are 4 bits of audio. And two of them are start and end. It can hold 100k tons of water and the pillars are sourced from all over the roman empire.

Very interesting cistern that used to supply water to the area. Hard to believe that it was forgotten and rediscovered. Check out the fish and the Medusas, and try not to think about Dan Brown!

The largest of the several hundred cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. The chamber able to hold nearly 80.000 cubic meters of water. The roof supported by 336 marble columns.Perfect instagram spot!

It is the oldest known water reservoir in Istanbul, a little earlier than the Basilica Cistern which was built during the reign of Justinian I in the 6th century . Read more

Don't forget about this hidden gem in your visit from istanbul

During the Byzantine period , the city on the world marking the zero point used for calculating the distance and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is located at the side of " Milio 's Move '

Built by thousands of slaves in the 6th century , the Basilica Cistern is a vast cathedral-like chamber with a forest of 336 carved marble columns symmetrically positioned. Read more

An original museum . Of course it cannot offer more than history :) Entrance fee is low. No need for an audio guide , there is enough explanation around.

Begin your day in the subterranean depths of the Basilica Cistern, a 1,500-year-old building supported by 336 columns . Don’t miss the twin blocks carved into snake-haired Medusas.

Well , those cisterns were fine. I was expecting more but still feel like everyone need to see them especially due to the history how and why it was built. 20 liras price is a bit high, but acceptable

Look for the Medusa statues . Bring a camera with a night mode. A great place for romance if you have a prospective date. Not for people with nightblindness.

Walk all the way to the medusa head , very interesting spot. Oh, and read Inferno by Dan Brown ;)

There is an upside down Medusa here. It is believed that the people who placed the stone believed if the head was upside down, it would ward off evil spirits.

James Bond and Kerim Bey punt under the Basilica Cistern in From Russia with Love (1963) to spy on a Russian Consulate meeting above with a periscope.

Its a marvelous place to keep quiet for some time, listen to the sound of water and the big fish exhaling softly through years. Its such an experience.

Great place, Remarkable atmosphere, Slippery passages; watch your steps.

The 336-column, 1,000-square-metre Basilica Cistern is flooded with history… and 80,000 cubic metres of water. No wonder it took a starring role in the Bond film From Russia With Love.

After hundreds of yrs this cistern w 25 ft of water was drained to 1 ft. It was discovered that Medusa's head was used to support 2 columns ! Though sideways & upside down, she survived! Come find her!

Audio guide isn't necessary... A very good place to be, well located near aya sophia. Don't miss the ottoman photo cession dowstairs.

It's cold, it's dark and sometimes there's even some water dripping onto your head. Yet the Cistern is one of the most beautiful places in Istanbul.

Dear photographers , if you guys want your photographs to be perfect, bring a tripod. With tripod, you don't need a high number ISO. It's not necessary to bring a flash, but you can if you want to.

The largest surviving Byzantine cistern in Istanbul. Made up of 336 columns and can hold up to 80000 cubic metres of water.

The cistern and there is a cute dress up photo opportunity which you can buy the picture afterwards

Astonishing remains of the 6th century Byzantine architecture of emperor Justinian I. Watch out for slippery floor near Medusa heads .

The 336-column, 1,000-square-metre Basilica Cistern is flooded with history… and 80,000 cubic metres of water. No wonder it took a starring role in the Bond film From Russia With Love.

Incredible place! it's more about the ambiance, the visual and it's history. If you are waiting for pretty things to see, that's not your place.

You need to visit it it will not take much of your time just 1 h if it's not too busy get the audience it will help you to understand the place ????

Skip the hour long queue at the Hagia Sophia , and visit here for a cheaper and cooler experience. By cooler I mean both temperature and history.

If u visit Istanbul u really should come here at least one time cause i don't think u saw any place similar to this one. İstanbuldaysanız mutlaka gitmeniz gereken yerlerden birisi. Atmosferi mükemmel.

It was used for water storage in Hagia Sofia in case there is a draught or any other problem with water. Da Vinci code was shot here.

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici) is a historic water cistern constructed by the Byzantine Empire. Engraved decorations exist over some of its 336 columns . It has a capacity of 80.000 m3 water.

There are many ancient cisterns beneath Istanbul, and this is the largest one. Bulit in the 6th century , the Basilica Cistern is where you'll find the two columns carved with Medusa's image.

It's one of the most unusual attractions in the world. May be crowded . Must see.

Visit the Basilica Cistern is a must if you visit Istanbul, remember to walk to Medusa heads that are the pillars of the fund.

I don't know why the Lord of the Rings fans need too see this awesome place, but for the Dune fans it's an absolute must, especially after seeing the movie

Gorgeous and historical. Lots to see and if you collect all the coins from the water you may end up retiring.

Go early in the morning so it's not as crowded and you can get your money's worth. Also, it's 20TL not 10TL like most travel guides tell you