Pangea Guides

Built in the 6th century, the Basilica Cistern is one of the ancient cisterns that lie beneath Istanbul. This 143 meters long and 65 meters wide cistern was built to provide water to the city in cases of siege. The roof is supported by 336 marble columns of 9 meters in length, mostly built in Corinthian or Ionic styles. Basilica Cistern has wooden platforms that enable visitors to walk around it.