BASILICA CISTERN
Tickets & Tours
Enjoy an informative guided tour of one of the largest ancient water cisterns in Istanbul with exclusive skip-the-line tickets and audio guide in 5 languages! + more details
Hidden beneath the streets of Istanbul lies the ancient Basilica Cistern. Enjoy a guided tour of this sunken filming location. Upgrade to include a tour of Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque! + more details
Most Preferred Combo Tours
See 3 of Istanbul's most famous landmarks with this combination tour. Skip the ticket lines at the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia. Visit the Blue Mosque, explore the Cistern, and admire Hagia Sophia with an English-speaking guide. + more details
Explore Istanbul's iconic landmarks with a budget-friendly combo: skip-the-line entry to the Basilica Cistern and Hagia Sophia. Dive into history and save!. + more details
Best Value Istanbul City Pass
With this pass, visit 2, 4 or more major attractions, enjoy the Blue Mosque, cruise the Bosphorus and access public transport for hassle-free sightseeing in Istanbul. Enjoy Mega Savings and Mega Value! + more details
How to Get to Basilica Cistern (Sultanahmet Map)
Getting to the Basilica Cistern is pretty easy; it's centrally located on the Historical Peninsula, in the Old City of Istanbul. That’s why it is easily accessible by public transport.
The best way to get to Basilica Cistern is by taking the tram; it's the cheapest and easiest way, and you'll get to see some of the city as you ride. The nearest tram stations are
Sultanahmet and Gülhane stations. Both are a 7-minute walk away.
From Taksim Square, you can take the funicular F1 to Kabataş. At Kabataş Station, take the tram T1 and go 7 stops to Sultanahmet Station. From there, it is just a couple of minutes to Basilica Cistern.
Visitor Information for Basilica Cistern Istanbul
Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (527–565) constructed the Basilica Cistern to supply water to the Great Palace, the imperial residence, and other locations in the region. In fact, Constantine I had constructed a cistern in the same location as him. However, this cistern was seriously devastated when a fire burst out in the area.
Justinian I repaired and enlarged the damaged cistern, and he constructed the cistern we have today. The water for the cistern was transported through the Bozdoğan Arch and other aqueducts from the Belgrade Forest.
The cistern, measuring 140 x 70 and covering 9800 square metres, is comprised of 336 columns, with 12 colonnades of 28 in each row. The interior of the cistern, which has a water storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tonnes, is quite grandiose, expansive, and adorned with numerous columns; consequently, the cistern acquired the name "Yerebatan Palace" over time.
Basilica Cistern Highlights
Columns
Wander through the 1500-year-old site and take a trip back in time. The first thing you will surely notice are the marble columns. Bathed in an atmospheric light, they rise out of the water and support the 6th-century construction.
Arranged in twelve rows, there are a total of 336 well-preserved columns. Each of the 9-metre-long columns is unique, but most of them have a cylindrical shape and have Corinthian and early Byzantine features.
The Basilica Cistern columns, elegant and structurally vital, carry the vaulted roof and large water storage, absorbing earthquake vibrations. Today, they showcase Byzantine builders' skill and represent Istanbul's rich past.
Water
The reflections of the columns in the water are also breathtaking. The spotlights cast an almost magical light on the scenery, creating the impression of being in a completely different universe. While walking on the platform, you can hear water dripping from the ceiling's masonry vault.
There were numerous fish in the water prior to the last restoration; you could see them if you looked into the water.
Fish have been relocated due to changing water levels, and the quality of life after restoration is insufficient.
Medusa Heads
The cistern includes two sculptures of Byzantine-era Medusa heads of significant interest. In 1985, restoration brought to light for the first time two ancient columns carrying the serpent-haired Medusa, a legendary figure from Greek mythology, at their bases. You can discover both mysterious heads on the north-west side of the cistern on your way to the exit.
Pay attention to the fact that the Medusa heads are situated sideways and reversed.
It is believed that the Medusa heads were placed for protection against evil spirits and strangers, as was a common belief in ancient Greece and Rome.
Column of Tears
In the Basilica Palace, a column different from the others attracts attention. It is believed that other slaves made this column specifically in honour of the slaves who worked for the palace and died here. Considering that more than 7 thousand pagan slaves worked in the construction of the Basilica Cistern, most of the workers died here.
There are shapes similar to tears on the column, and it gives the feeling that it is "crying" with the water constantly flowing over it. According to a rumour, after the palace was closed to visitors, the sounds of these slaves crying echoed against the columns. Some visitors make a wish by throwing money into the water where this column is located.
The Sculpture Exhibition
The Basilica Cistern is a place where universal cultural consciousness and collective social memory intersect from different layers of history to the present day. After extensive and meticulous restoration works, it opened its doors to its visitors with its first exhibition, "Deeper (Daha Derine)," prepared with a contemporary museum approach.
The history of the Basilica Cistern also influences future art. Art inspires this exhibition as the source of life, vigour, healing, and cleansing, like "Water". Visitors are invited to go "deeper" into the Basilica Cistern's contents, hidden treasures, visible and invisible vibrations, thoughts, imagination, creativity, and reflections.
Light Shows
The cistern's entrance hall was updated with new flooring and lighting as part of the renovation project. Nevertheless, the new exhibition with the central theme of "light" ought to be the most interesting thing for guests to see. The remarkable structure will unquestionably offer a more immersive experience and become an even more impressive spectacle beginning today, when there will be light shows on certain important occasions.
Basilica created by Turkish artists An important event that takes place in Istanbul is the Cistern lightning and light performance. The columns of the cistern gleam enchantedly to the sound of classical music, Turkish folk music, and pop music. The performance was crafted with skill and attention to detail.
Should I Buy my Basilica Cistern Ticket on-site or online?
Basilica Cistern is one of the most crowded tourist destinations in the world.
Here are a few reasons why you should buy your ticket on advance online:
- Provide Exclusive Discounts: Buying tickets online at Basilica Cistern saves time and money during peak season. Booking your tickets online can provide you with exclusive discounts. Its true splendour remains hidden without an expert guide; booking a guided tour online ensures you won't miss out on the rich history, extraordinary architecture, and intriguing stories of this immersive structure.
- Enjoy Flexibility: Online tickets offer more flexibility, allowing for easy cancellation or change if plans change, unlike door-to-door options.
- Save Precious Time: You'll get a guaranteed entry time. When you buy your ticket online, you can choose your desired entry time. This is a great way to avoid having to wait in line if you arrive at the cistern during peak hours. Enjoy fast access to this incredible landmark and maximize every moment of your visit.
Plan Your Visit to Basilica Cistern Istanbul
The Basilica Cistern is open to visitors seven days a week with the following schedule.
- Regular Visiting Hours: 09:00 – 18:30
- Night Shift Experience: 19:30 – 22:00
Please note that the site is temporarily closed between 18:30 and 19:30 to prepare for the Night Shift sessions.
The average visit duration is between 30 minutes and one hour, allowing sufficient time to explore the site in its entirety.
>> Click here for more information about visiting hours adn the best time to visit.
Things to Know Before Visiting the Basilica Cistern
Do I Need a Guided Tour to Visit Basilica Cistern?
A guided tour of Basilica Cistern offers several benefits, including understanding its history, pointing out hidden details, and answering questions about the history and construction of the cistern.
There are two main types of tours available: Audioguides and Guided tours. Audioguides allow visitors to explore the building at their own pace. Qualified guided tours inform you about the history and myths of the building and navigate you through the cistern. Regardless of the choice, an unforgettable experience at the Basilica Cistern is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basilica Cistern
Cisterns were widely used in the Byzantine times as water supply and filtration systems. Basilica Cistern is the city’s oldest water reservoir.
To save time and money, we recommend booking your Basilica Cistern tickets online. Moreover, online tickets can allow you to skip the line and provide more advantages. Online ticket booking is also convenient, as you can do it with a single click.
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is large and impressive enough to be compared to a palace. The columns form a colonnaded corridor reminiscent of a palace's halls. The water in the cistern is also unusually still, creating a mirrored surface that adds to the palace image.
The Mesmerising Basilica Cistern was built by Emperor Justinian in 532 A.C. So now it is more than 1400 years old!
Find information on the entry fee here.
The Basilica Cistern is open to visitors seven days a week with the following schedule.
- Regular Visiting Hours: 09:00 – 18:30
- Night Shift Experience: 19:30 – 22:00
Please note that the site is temporarily closed between 18:30 and 19:30 to prepare for the Night Shift sessions.
The Basilica Cistern is best visited during the months of March and May, and September and October. The weather is nice and comfortable, making it ideal for walking through Istanbul's streets. However, these months attract the most people to the city, so make sure that you book your online Basilica Cistern tickets far in advance.
The Basilica Cistern is located on Sultanahmet's Historic Peninsula, a few steps before Hagia Sophia and Sultanahmet Square.
Take in the architectural splendour of the Basilica Cistern within around 1 hour to 1.5 hours. You can stroll around the long colonnades, look at the Medusa Heads, and observe the Weeping Column.
Yes, you are allowed to take photographs inside the Basilica Cistern, with the exception of the staircase area and with tripods and other professional photographic equipment, which may cause disturbance to other visitors.
Wheelchairs are accessible at the Basilica Cistern, although getting there is difficult because there is only one lift. If there are two wheelchairs arriving at the same time, the process can take up to 30 minutes.
Yes, strollers are allowed in the Basilica Cistern.
WhaT OUR VISITORS SAY
About Basilica Cistern
It was worth the extra $ to avoid the hour long wait. We were in the basilica within 10 minutes with our guide who was excellent. There was no waste of time and frustration from standing outside in a seemingly unending line in the hot sun. Also the tour guide was very thorough and extremely friendly
G. Salem—USA
Amazing piece of historic engineering and architecture and very photogenic. Host guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Clear directions for meeting point and excellent value for money.
Maurice Thomas- Wales(UK)
Amazing Basilica Cistern with a great guide! Definetely deserves a visit ! We really had an enjoyable time in there
THOR / NORWAY
The sights were great and I was happy to see parts of the area without spending too much time. The guide was very patient with us and took great initiative in explaining things. I highly recommend it these guys.
Jelena - Serbia
