The Basilica Cistern is located next to the Hagia Sophia Museum and was built under the orders of Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It has a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water, served as an underground reservoir used by the Byzantine and Ottoman Palaces and is still in use today. The Basilica Cistern is now a famous tourist attraction due to its historic importance and architectural beauty. In the dim light of the Basilica Cistern, thick Corinthian stone pillars support massive brick vaults engraved with exquisite reliefs. Sometimes you can even find fish swimming about. Because of the unique air of mystery here, it has served as a filming site for both the James Bond installment, “Skyfall”, and Jackie Chan’s “Secret City”.
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This place is located just cross the road from Hagia Sophia and the entrance ticket is only 20 Turkish lira. There are many famous columns inside such as Medusa's head column and crying column.
One the major attraction near blue mosque is this Basilica Cistern. Entry fee is a cheap at TR20 and it's worth visiting as we learn how the structure stands.
Underground water palace, Medusa legend, as long as mortals have seen her eyes will become stone, I do not know why the head is upside down, archaeology is infinitely close to the truth, but not necessarily all conclusions, what reason to engage in Greek archaeology can touch some doors, if China's ancient buildings, ancient tombs, I can also speculate from geomantic omen and mythology, I really do not. You know, maybe it's the Eight Diagrams of Yin and Yang? So the opposite is true! Or is it water? Or is there a filter system that is scattered and needs a head upside down in the water? Archaeology is supposed to assume that there is no need to prove the crisp sound of droplets falling on the water. The road is lined with a slightly dim street lamp, the smell of mud mixed in the damp and cold air, the occasional carp swimming in the pool, quiet and a little scary, but also want to explore the mysterious underground world!
The Underground Water Palace in Jerebatian was built as a reservoir for war. It was built in 542 AD. Justinian Emperor used 7,000 slaves to build it on the ruins of the church. Walking into the underground water palace, it seems to enter another world, dim lights, broken water droplets sound, as if telling the brutal history of the past...
The water palace's facade was very small, but it was only when it entered that it was shocked. This is the building of the Roman Empire. It's really admirable that such a huge building was built underground. There is a very mysterious feeling, feeling into the beginning of the ancient tomb. There are two famous pillars in it. One is a pillar with a human head as its base; the other is a pillar of tears in memory of the dead laborers.
Nice place. Reasonable price for tickets (20 TRY). A lot of tourists, but the queue goes fast. Right now it’s under reconstruction, so there is no water inside. But even without water and fish you will be able to enjoy an amazing, atmospheric world hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul!
there is a lot of history in the Basilca Cistern. the cistern contained over 300+ columns. the hightlight are the 2 head of Medusa at the base of 2 columns. the admission is 20 Turkish Lira. very busy but the line moves quickly.
The Underground Water Palace is not far from the Blue Mosque. It's a very mysterious place. The Underground Palace is rather cold. I remember to add a coat. The light inside is dim. There are many super fat big fish in the water. There are water droplets that will drip down the pavement, so be careful to walk slowly. The upside-down Medusa is impressive. It really feels like being petrified. This is also the scene of the last section of the recent film Dante Code.
An unique underground city in lstanbul, quite amazing when you walk down the stair to explore this sight. Very reasonable ticket fee, can’t see any simular sight in other city but istanbul.
The Underground Water Palace, situated next to St. Sophia Cathedral, was the underground reservoir of the Byzantine to Ottoman Empire Palace. The Groundwater Palace was built in the 6th century A.D. and has a huge water reserve of 100,000 tons. It is still used by Istanbuls. This is one of the wonders of Turkey. In the darkness, we grope and find that there are fish swimming in the water. It's amazing. Hollywood movies "007 Big Breaking Screen Crisis" and Jackie Chan's "Secret Service Maze" have been filmed here.