The Basilica Cistern, known in Turkish as Yerebatan Sarnıcı, is a vast underground reservoir built in the sixth century under the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Its roof is held up by 336 marble columns arranged in long rows, rising from shallow water in a dim, cool hall below the streets of Sultanahmet. It once stored water for the Great Palace and nearby buildings, and today it is one of the most atmospheric places to visit in Istanbul.
Why visit the Basilica Cistern
The cistern takes its name from a large public square, the Stoa Basilica, that once stood above it. Many of the columns were reused from older buildings, so you will notice different styles of capitals and shafts as you walk along the raised walkways. The effect, with the columns lit from below and reflected in the water, is unlike anything above ground.
The cistern was restored and reopened in 2022 after several years of work to strengthen it against earthquakes. The visit now includes modern lighting and, at times, contemporary art installations among the columns. It has also appeared in films and novels, including the James Bond film From Russia with Love and Dan Brown's Inferno.
After the Ottoman conquest the cistern was largely forgotten by the city above, and it was brought back to wider attention in the sixteenth century by a European traveller who heard that local people drew water, and even caught fish, through holes in their basements. Major cleaning and restoration work in the twentieth century added the walkways that visitors use today.
Getting to the Basilica Cistern by tram and metro
The closest stop is Sultanahmet on the T1 tram. The entrance is a small building on the corner of Yerebatan Caddesi, just a couple of minutes' walk from the tram stop and across the road from Hagia Sophia. It is easy to miss, so look for the queue rather than a grand doorway.
If you are coming from the metro network, change to the T1 tram at Sirkeci (Marmaray) or at Kabataş, or walk uphill from Sirkeci in around 15 minutes. An İstanbulkart covers the tram, metro and ferries and is the simplest way to pay.
Basilica Cistern tickets and opening hours
Entry is by paid ticket, and prices for foreign visitors are higher than for Turkish residents. There are separate daytime and evening sessions, and the evening sessions may be priced differently. Tickets can be bought at the entrance or online through the official website, yerebatan.com, which also lists current prices and opening hours. Prices have changed often in recent years, so check before you go rather than relying on older guides.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
A visit takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Queues can be long from late morning to mid-afternoon, especially in summer and at weekends. Arriving at opening time is the simplest way to avoid them. Evening sessions, when available, are generally quieter and suit the moody lighting well.
It stays cool underground all year, which makes it a welcome break on a hot day. The walkways can be damp, so wear shoes with some grip.
Highlights inside the cistern
The Medusa heads
At the far end, two column bases rest on carved heads of Medusa, one placed on its side and one upside down. Nobody knows for certain why they were placed this way; a common view is that the builders simply reused them as convenient blocks.
The Hen's Eye column
One column is carved with a pattern of eyes and teardrop shapes, sometimes called the weeping column. Water often runs down it, and touching it is a local custom.
The forest of columns
Stand still for a moment near the entrance and look down the rows of columns stretching into the dark. This is the view most people remember.
Nearby on the same tram stop
Sultanahmet is the heart of historic Istanbul, and the cistern is surrounded by famous sights:
- Hagia Sophia: directly across the road, with its own visitor rules, so check before you go.
- The Blue Mosque: a few minutes' walk across the park, free to enter outside prayer times.
- Topkapı Palace: the main Ottoman palace, behind Hagia Sophia.
- Theodosius Cistern: a smaller Byzantine cistern a short walk west, often less busy.
- Gülhane Park: a large park below Topkapı, good for a break.
See more around this stop on the Basilica Cistern on Around the Metro, or explore the Istanbul metro map.