One of my favorite spots in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. It's one of several hundred cisterns that lays beneath the city. It's the largest in the city. And it's gorgeous!
Fun Facts: (As always, gleaned from Wiki)
-It's name comes from the fact that it was built in a spot that once held a Basilica. The Basilica burnt down and the Emperor Constantine (from which Old Constantinople derives it's name) ordered a Cistern built. Constantine's cistern was demolished later on when the city was destroyed by the Nika Riots in 532. The Emperor Justinian ordered the Basilica Cistern rebuilt after that, and it was accomplished by over 7,000 slaves!
-The interior of the cistern is supported by a collection of arches and columns that are a hodgepodge of styles - from Corinthian, Doric and Ionian to nothing classical at all and Columns with carved Medusa heads at the bottom! (There are three Medusa columns in the Basilica cistern, two are oriented on their sides, one is upside down. They are purposefully not right-side-up in order to negate the stare of the Gorgon [which, legend has it, turns those who look upon it to stone!]) The mismatching is due to the fact that most of the columns were repurposed from other buildings/ruins in the city.
-The Cistern can store 100,000 tons of water, but is mostly empty today. (Which is why we can tour it.)
-Until 1985 tours of the Cistern were accomplished by boat! In 1985 a series of wooden walkways were built to replace the boats.
Fun Facts: (As always, gleaned from Wiki)
-It's name comes from the fact that it was built in a spot that once held a Basilica. The Basilica burnt down and the Emperor Constantine (from which Old Constantinople derives it's name) ordered a Cistern built. Constantine's cistern was demolished later on when the city was destroyed by the Nika Riots in 532. The Emperor Justinian ordered the Basilica Cistern rebuilt after that, and it was accomplished by over 7,000 slaves!
-The interior of the cistern is supported by a collection of arches and columns that are a hodgepodge of styles - from Corinthian, Doric and Ionian to nothing classical at all and Columns with carved Medusa heads at the bottom! (There are three Medusa columns in the Basilica cistern, two are oriented on their sides, one is upside down. They are purposefully not right-side-up in order to negate the stare of the Gorgon [which, legend has it, turns those who look upon it to stone!]) The mismatching is due to the fact that most of the columns were repurposed from other buildings/ruins in the city.
-The Cistern can store 100,000 tons of water, but is mostly empty today. (Which is why we can tour it.)
-Until 1985 tours of the Cistern were accomplished by boat! In 1985 a series of wooden walkways were built to replace the boats.
One of the Medusa Pillars
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