Inside Basilica Cistern

• The Basilica Cistern features an impressive architectural design that includes a vast underground chamber, supported by columns and arches.
• The cistern was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and was constructed using bricks and mortar.
• The cistern's roof is made of vaulted brick, and the columns are a mixture of Roman and Byzantine styles.
• There are a total of 336 columns that support the cistern's roof, with a height of 9 meters and a diameter of 4 meters.
• The columns are arranged in 12 rows of 28 columns each, and some of them are topped with Corinthian capitals.
• The cistern has a total capacity of 80,000 cubic meters of water, which was used to supply the Great Palace and other buildings in the area.
• The cistern has undergone several restorations over the years, with the most significant one taking place in the 18th century during the Ottoman era.
• The restoration included the addition of new columns and arches to strengthen the cistern's structure and prevent its collapse.
• Today, visitors to the Basilica Cistern can marvel at its impressive architectural features and imagine the massive engineering effort that went into constructing such a remarkable underground structure.

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