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Blue Mosque
Topkapi Palace
Basilica Cistern
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Blue Mosque
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Recommended Tours:
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
Flexible Cancellation Policy: You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund on your purchase.
Recommended Tours:
The spectacular stone architecture of the Basilica Cistern lit by the subtle lights makes for an unforgettable tourist experience. The colonnades are reminiscent of their Roman roots and are a standing testament to the multicultural history of Istanbul.
After the cavern water receded, two Medusa’s heads emerged from the base of the cavern. The two Medusa heads form the base for the 336 columns situated on the northwest side of the Basilica Cistern. The Gorgon monster’s head is still shrouded in mystery.
To commemorate the sacrifice of 7000 slaves during the construction of the cistern, a standalone pillar had been carved. Named the ‘Weeping Pillar’, it has trees, branches, and peacocks carved on its surface. It also resembles a hen’s eye with tears and angled branches.
You have to descend down a flight of 52 stairs to take a walk through the cistern. Although the water was drained, you will find a few carp in shallow pools. The Yerebatan Palace, as the locals call it, is well-lit and stands splendidly as a historical marvel of the yesteryears.
Open: every day of the year
Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM
Duration of Visit: 30 mins to 1 hour
Best Time to Visit: March to May and September to October to enjoy the pleasant autumn temperatures in Istanbul
Plan Your Visit to the Basilica CisternAddress: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih, Turkey.
We recommend you purchase Basilica Cistern tickets online because it is less time-consuming and also saves money. You can chance upon great deals and discounts when booking tickets online. With online ticket bookings, you can reserve your spot in advance
You can avail of Basilica Cistern skip-the-line tickets at €23.90. The Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are around €29. These tickets also allow you to skip ahead of long lines at the cistern.
There are 3 kinds of Basilica Cistern tickets available for you to choose from- skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets. Basilica Cistern guided tours also allow you to skip ahead of long lines. Basilica Cistern combo tickets are perfect for visitors who want to plan a day trip in and around Sultanahmet. You can explore the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace along with the cistern.
Yes, you can avoid crowds and skip ahead of long lines with your Basilica Cistern tickets. Depending on the ticket you purchase, you can avail of an audio guide in over 8 languages with your skip-the-line tickets.
Yes, Basilica Cistern guided tour tickets are available for purchase. You can choose between an English or Spanish-speaking tour guide. You can also enjoy priority access to the attraction with these guided tour tickets.
The Basilica Cistern is an underground water storage system that had been set up during the 6th century. Constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, the cistern provided water to the nearby Great Palace of Constantinople and other important buildings in the city. It is an engineering marvel of the yesteryears that offers visitors a glimpse into Istanbul's past.
The long colonnades, dimly-lit interiors, the Medusa Heads, and the Weeping Column are some of the most interesting highlights of the Basilica Cistern. Each of these features has legends and anecdotes surrounding them.
The Basilica Cistern, also known as the Yerebatan Cistern, is located on Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih in Turkey.
If you are traveling from Taksim, take the funicular F1 to Kabastas and take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet station. The Basilica Cistern is only a 2-minute walk from Sultanahmet. You can take any bus between 28, 30D, 46C, 54E, 66, 77A, 92C, 99A, or EM1 and get down at Eminonu-Iskele- Yesilkoy Yonu, 4 minutes away from the cistern. You can also board either the Marmaray (Atakoy to Pendik) or the Marmaray (Halkali to Gebze) and get off at the Sirkeci station, 2 minutes away from the Basilica.
The Basilica Cistern is open from 9 AM to 7 PM every day throughout the year.
The Basilica Cistern has ramps and elevators to accommodate visitors with limited mobility. You can also bring prams and strollers inside the cistern.
While the cistern offers ramps and elevators for visitors on wheelchairs, you have to be very careful inside the underground cavern. Although the water has been drained during the restoration, the inside is still quite damp and slippery.
Yes, you can click pictures inside the Basilica Cistern. Try to avoid using tripods and other commercial equipment that may disturb other visitors.
Yes, since its restoration in the 20th century, the Basilica Cistern has emerged as one of the must-visit tourist destinations in Istanbul. The water storage system has deep historical roots. It was built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I and served as a vital water reservoir for the city of Constantinople, supplying water to the Great Palace and other important buildings. Its vast underground space is supported by 336 columns, many of which were repurposed from older structures.