Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is Istanbul's most atmospheric underground monument, a vast 6th-century Byzantine cistern with a capacity of 80,000 cubic meters supported by 336 marble columns, two of which rest on inverted Medusa heads of uncertain origin. Built by Emperor Justinian to supply the Great Palace, its forest of columns reflected in the shallow water and mysterious ambient lighting create a otherworldly setting. It featured in the James Bond film From Russia with Love.

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