Learn a little more about the culture at the Basilica Cistern
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 9:32 am
When you visit, be sure to go to the mezzanine to see it from a different angle.
Entrance: 60 lira
Visiting hours:
From April to October from 9am to 7pm.
From November to March from 9am to 5pm.
Address: Sultanahmet Square
Located very close to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern is a massive underground cistern built in Istanbul during the Byzantine era. The cistern once held approximately 90 million liters of water to supply the city.
Due to its architecture and columns—336 in total, brought from pagan telegram data temples in Anatolia—it truly resembles a basilica, hence the name. The area covers approximately 10,000 square meters, measuring 104 meters long, 70 meters wide, and 9 meters high. A stroll through the area is pleasant, as the temperature is mild, thus escaping the heat of the Turkish summer.
At the back of the cistern, you can see two columns with Medusa heads at their bases. The reason for their placement is still unclear…some say it's just an architectural touch, others say it's for the cistern's protection.
Entrance: 20 lira
Visiting hours: 9am to 5pm
Open seven days a week, except on the first day of religious holidays, when it opens at 1 p.m.
Address: Yerebatan Cd. Alembar Mah. 1/3 34410 Sultanahmet – Fatih/ Istanbul
5. Lunch at The Kybele Hotel
This restaurant is located very close to the Basilica of the Cistern, offering excellent service and delicious traditional food. Although it's close to tourist attractions, the prices are very affordable.
Entrance: 60 lira
Visiting hours:
From April to October from 9am to 7pm.
From November to March from 9am to 5pm.
Address: Sultanahmet Square
Located very close to Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern is a massive underground cistern built in Istanbul during the Byzantine era. The cistern once held approximately 90 million liters of water to supply the city.
Due to its architecture and columns—336 in total, brought from pagan telegram data temples in Anatolia—it truly resembles a basilica, hence the name. The area covers approximately 10,000 square meters, measuring 104 meters long, 70 meters wide, and 9 meters high. A stroll through the area is pleasant, as the temperature is mild, thus escaping the heat of the Turkish summer.
At the back of the cistern, you can see two columns with Medusa heads at their bases. The reason for their placement is still unclear…some say it's just an architectural touch, others say it's for the cistern's protection.
Entrance: 20 lira
Visiting hours: 9am to 5pm
Open seven days a week, except on the first day of religious holidays, when it opens at 1 p.m.
Address: Yerebatan Cd. Alembar Mah. 1/3 34410 Sultanahmet – Fatih/ Istanbul
5. Lunch at The Kybele Hotel
This restaurant is located very close to the Basilica of the Cistern, offering excellent service and delicious traditional food. Although it's close to tourist attractions, the prices are very affordable.