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Basilica Cistern

Southwest of the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey

Featured Review : My take on the Cistern Basilica was that not only was it a beautiful and historic site, but that it also gave the distinct feeling that we were on the set of an Indiana Jones movie. The whole place was so eerie and myste...See Full Review

  • #3 most popular
    thing to do in Istanbul
  • Avg. User Rating:
    4 out of 5 stars

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Basilica Cistern Reviews

Have you visited the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul? We're always looking for more Basilica Cistern reviews and photos. Contribute yours today.
Best of IgoUgo

A Scene From Indiana Jones

  • 4 out of 5 stars by TianjinPaul from Rotherham, United Kingdom
  • July 9, 2025
Quote: My take on the Cistern Basilica was that not only was it a beautiful and historic site, but that it also gave the distinct feeling that we were on the set of an Indiana Jones movie. The whole place was so eerie and mysterious that I would not have... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul Sights

Best of IgoUgo

Drinking the Medusa's Tears in the Sunken Palace

  • 4 out of 5 stars by Liam Hetherington from Manchester, United Kingdom
  • October 27, 2025
Quote: Istanbul has always been characterised as a city on the water. The views and traffic of the Bosphorus, Sea of Marmara, and Golden Horn make the city what it is. However, it was in 1545 that a French visitor by the name of Petrus Gyllius realised... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Holy of Holies

Impressive Experience

  • 5 out of 5 stars by oldscratch from New York, New York
  • November 7, 2025
Quote: I'll leave it to the other IgoUgo reviewers to describe the history of the Basilica Cistern, but I did want to say a few words about what a cool experience the Cistern was and highly recommend that visitors check it out.Basically the Cistern is an... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Three Days in Istanbul

Best of IgoUgo

The Lair of the Medusa - the underground cistern

  • 5 out of 5 stars by actonsteve from London, United Kingdom
  • April 15, 2025
Quote: There was one sight in Istanbul that I definitely wanted to see: Yerebeta Sarnaci, the underground cistern.Back in 1545, the French traveller Gyllius observed the city's citizens lowering buckets through holes in their basements to obtain water.... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul - "City of the World's Desire"

Basilica Cistern - Yerebatan Saray

  • 4 out of 5 stars by ArnyZona from Venlo, Netherlands
  • June 4, 2025
Quote: The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray) is an enormous water reservoir built in 532 by emperor Justinianus. It was build to provide the big palace with fresh drinking water. The roof of the vault is resting on more than 300 columns. This great... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul, a Cultural Clash of the Titans

Best of IgoUgo

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici)

  • 5 out of 5 stars by ShannonBrooke from Somerville, Massachusetts
  • July 28, 2025
Quote: This may be the coolest (literally) site in the Sultanahmet. After paying a small fee to enter, you descend into a dark, cavernous space. In addition to the music of dripping water, classical music is played as you wander the dark corridors of... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul in June

Underground Cistern

  • 5 out of 5 stars by isewell from Santa ROsa, California
  • November 15, 2025
Quote: This underground area is located between the Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque. It is a huge cave with 336 columns, with walkways leading you around the cave, over the water. Water drips down the roof above, and piped in classical music accompany the... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul (not Constantinople)

Best of IgoUgo

Basilica Cistern - Yerebatan Saray

  • 4 out of 5 stars by kiwilee from London, New Zealand
  • October 24, 2025
Quote: Strains of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' echo thoughout the chamber and bounce of the pillars. It is almost sinister as the warming music is juxtaposed to what could be a scene from a scary movie. Originally used as a water supply for Constantinople... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul: Where Two Continents Collide

Best of IgoUgo

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatansaray)

  • 4 out of 5 stars by Idler from Poolesville, Maryland
  • April 13, 2025
Quote: "Boy, this would be the perfect place for a murder!" whispered my pre-teen son as we descended into the hushed, cavernous Basilica Cistern, or Yerebatansaray ("Underground Palace"). He had been playing a computer game called Byzantine: The Betrayal... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal Istanbul Idyll

Best of IgoUgo

Basilica Cistern

  • 4 out of 5 stars by Ishtar from Bayside, New York
  • August 16, 2025
Quote: It is easy to miss this place, as a very small ticket booth and a fairly large sign designating are partially hidden. It was relatively quiet when we went, so we were happy to get up close and personal with the columns... It goes by the name of... Read the full Basilica Cistern review

From journal The Wait for Turkey - Finally!