
09/01/2025
One of Istanbul's most renowned historical landmarks is the Basilica Cistern, situated southwest of the Hagia Sophia. Constructed by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527-565), this vast underground reservoir features 336 marble columns, each standing 9 meters tall. The cistern's water supply originates from the Egrekapi Water Distribution Center, located 19 kilometers north of the city. During a restoration in 1985, 50,000 tons of mud were cleared from the cistern, and platforms were installed to replace the boats that had previously been used for tours.