Experts' Choice Award Basilica Cistern
What the experts agree on
Built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian 1,400 years ago, this underground palace rivals the Hagia Sophia in ambition. Walk dimly lit pathways among 336 towering marble columns supporting arches deep beneath Istanbul's streets—a remarkably preserved
“Eighty-two feet below Istanbul is a 450-foot-long, 213-foot-wide former royal reservoir.”
– Travel + Leisure
Fodor's "A journey through this ancient underground waterway takes you along dimly lit walkways that weave around 336 marble columns rising 26 feet to support Byzantine arches and domes." Full review
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Come early to avoid the long lines and have a more peaceful visit.
Lonely PlanetTop choice
"When those Byzantine emperors built something, they certainly did it properly!" Full review
Let's Go "Built more than 1400 years ago under the direction of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian—the same guy responsible for the Hagia Sophia—this underground cistern once stored water for the whole city." Full review
Afar Magazine "A city as ancient as Istanbul has many layers of history, and you’ll have to go below the surface to see the Basilica Cistern, the largest of the underground cisterns." Full review
Michelin Guide 2 Stars
"What the Ottomans called Yerebatan Sarayi (Sunken Palace) is in fact a 6C Byzantine underground cistern that supplied water to the palace of Emperor Justinian." Full review
Travel + Leisure "The primary water reservoir for Constantinople, the Basilica Cistern is cathedral-esque and a sight to see...it is supported by 336 columns and can hold up to 17.5 million gallons of water."
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Afar Magazine "An ancient underground water reservoir built during the reign of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian I during the 6th century"
New York Times "A sixth-century water storage facility that resembles a large underground lake and is notable for its enormous columns, reopened in 2022 after several years of renovation. Built around..."
CNN "Today, it’s a cornucopia of UNESCO World Heritage landmarks, from the imperial splendor of Topkı Palace to the subterranean, cathedral-sized Basilica Cistern, to the 2,500-year-old..."
The Guardian "At the end of Divanyolu there is the entrance to the Yerebatan Saray, or Underground Palace. It's a subterranean Byzantine water cistern, and has a cafe selling sahlep, a winter drink..."
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