Basilica Cistern
- from TRY 1500
- Not step-free
- Good on a rainy day
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Why go
- The 336 marble columns, each 8 metres high, that carry the vaulted roof
- The showdown of the Tom Hanks film Inferno, set in the cistern
Opening hours
Today09:00 – 22:00Show all
Don't miss
- Medusa-head column basesTwo column bases reuse blocks carved with a Medusa face, one upside down and one on its side. The heads may have been placed that way to cancel the gaze's stone-turning power. They are thought to come from a late Roman building, and their origin is unknown.Northwest corner of the cistern On the map
- Pale fish in the waterMany fish, often very pale or white, swim in the water. In 1565 Petrus Gyllius went by boat among the columns and saw fish under his boat.In the water between the columns On the map
- The walkway over the waterVisitors once rowed boats here. Now they walk a new steel walkway that stands apart from the old structure.Inside the cistern On the map
- Reused column capitalsMost columns were recycled from older buildings, and most have reused capitals.Throughout the cistern, among the columns On the map
Know before you go
- Open daily from 09:00 to 18:30, then again from 19:30 to 22:00.
Tips for your visit
- Expect 52 stone steps going down into the cistern, from the staircase on the southeast side.
- Crowds can take away from the atmosphere, so a less-visited cistern may suit some visitors better.
- The address is Yerebatan Caddesi No:1/3, Istanbul.
- The phone number is +90 216 695 21 00.
With kids
- The children's series Selena brought the cistern to young viewers in 2009.
Interesting facts8
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1985
Since 1985 the cistern has been part of Istanbul's UNESCO World Heritage historic areas.
Basilica Cistern - Wikipedia -
80,000 cubic
Its basin holds roughly 80,000 cubic metres of water.
Yerebatan-Zisterne - Wikipedia -
Next to it stands the Milyon Taşı, once taken as the old empire's zero point.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Wikipedia -
2022
In 2022 the cistern held Daha Derine, a digital show of contemporary art. The title means Going Deeper.
Basilica Cistern - Wikipedia -
One of the main missions of the game Assassin's Creed: Revelations is set in the cistern.
Yerebatan-Zisterne - Wikipedia -
1963
The 1963 Bond film From Russia with Love used the cistern as a location.
Basilica Cistern - Wikipedia -
Locals call it Yerebatan Palace, for the marble columns rising out of the water.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Wikipedia -
2016
A full copy of the cistern was built on a Budapest film set for a 2016 film.
Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Wikipedia
Shorts
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History
The cistern takes its name from its position beneath the Stoa Basilica, a large public square. Its water came through the aqueducts of Hadrian and Valens, which brought high-quality water from the forest north of the city. Later its existence was forgotten, except to locals who still drew water from it. The earthquake-proofing replaced worn iron tie-rods with stainless-steel rods. Today the cistern operates as a museum and event venue, run by Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü.
- Before 532A basilica, a commercial, legal and artistic centre, stood on the site.
- 532Emperor Justinian had the cistern built as a water store.
- 1565The French traveller Petrus Gyllius recorded it, after it had been largely forgotten.
- 1723Architect Muhammad Ağa made the first recorded repairs, under Ahmed III.
- 1985–1987Restoration removed over 50,000 tons of silt, uncovering the Medusa-head column bases.
Show all
- 9 September 1987It opened to the public as a museum, with elevated wooden walkways.
- 2017–2022Closed for restoration and earthquake-proofing, then reopened in 2022.
Accessibility
- Step-free entry The way in is a stone staircase of 52 steps.
Sources: Basilica Cistern - Wikipedia · Istanbul/Historical Peninsula - Wikivoyage (see) · Bölge Müdürlükleri - T.C. Vakıflar Genel Müdürl… · Yerebatan-Zisterne - Wikipedia · Citerne Basilique (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) - Wikiped… · Yerebatan Sarnıcı - Wikipedia · checked 17 Oct 2026
- Phone
- +903124155000
Questions and answers
Where is Basilica Cistern in Istanbul?
The address is Yerebatan Caddesi No:1/3. The cistern lies on the historical Sarayburnu peninsula in Istanbul.
How do I get to Basilica Cistern?
Take the T1 line. The cistern is 150 metres southwest of Hagia Sophia.
Are there Medusa heads in Basilica Cistern?
Yes. Two column bases in the northwest corner carry carved Medusa heads. They may have been turned upside down or sideways to cancel the gaze's stone-turning power. They are thought to come from a late Roman building.
Can you still row a boat in Basilica Cistern?
No. Water levels fell as tourist numbers rose, which ended the boat trips. Visitors now follow a boardwalk.
Does Basilica Cistern host concerts?
Yes. Concerts are staged in the cistern, and the venue is run by Vakıflar Genel Müdürlüğü.
Can you visit Basilica Cistern in a wheelchair?
No. The way in is a stone staircase of 52 steps.
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