Istanbul Guide

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AYHAN ALTUN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO © VIACHESLAV LOPATIN/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

PLAN YOUR TRIP İSTANBUL’S TOP 10

Basilica Cistern (p76) 8 When the Byzantine emperors decided to build something, they cer tainly didn’t cut corners! This extraordinary subterranean cistern, located opposite Aya Sofya, features a wildly atmospheric forest of columns (336 to be exact), vaulted brick ceilings, mysterious carved Medusa head column bases (pictured) and ghostly patrols of carp. A testament to the ambitious town planning and engineer ing expertise of the Byzan tines, the cistern has played a starring role in innumerable motion pictures (remember From Russia with Love ?) and is now one of the city’s best loved tourist attractions. 1 Sultanahmet & Around