Lonely Planet İstanbul Guide

İstanbul’s Top 10 Basilica Cistern

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When the Byzantine emperors decided to build something, they certainly 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 engineering expertise of the Byzantines, 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.