I had absolutely no idea what to expect from the Cisterna Basilica. I had seen only a few pictures, but I had no idea what it was all about and why I wanted to go there.

And in the end, it was one of the most interesting and most "wow" places I have ever visited in my travels.

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What is the Cisterna Basilica? The water supply for the city

The Cistern Basilica is not actually a basilica, but a huge underground water tank.

It is so called because it looks like an underground church, but in Turkish, for example, the name "Yerebatan Sarnıcı", meaning underground palace, is more commonly used.

It was used to supply water to the city - today it is accessible as a unique historical space.

The original capacity was 80,000 cubic metres of water.

What awaits you inside?

A forest of columns

• more than 300 columns
• each one a little different
• reflections in the water

The biggest "wow moment" right after entering.

Jellyfish heads

• two stone heads as pillar bases
• one turned, one sideways.

The most famous detail of the whole Cistern.

Light and atmosphere

• Dimmed lighting
• light echo
• cold compared to outside

It works more as an experience than a classic landmark.

How does a visit work?

In high season you often have to stand in quite a long queue (up to 45 minutes), I didn't wait a minute in March.

• You descend down a short flight of stairs
• you walk along the many paths along the bottom of the reservoir
• today the tank is filled with only a small amount of water (about 0.5 metres deep)

The whole area is monotonous, but I still enjoyed it and spent about 30 minutes here.

You can take photos or video here without any restrictions.

Admission and opening hours

The cistern is open to visitors every day from 9:00 to 22:00.

Prices are very high. But this is common in Istanbul for monuments.

• 1 950 try - daily entry from 9:00 to 18:30
• 3 000 try - night entry from 18:30 to 22:00

You can pay with cash or a regular bank card.

Official website: yerebatan.com/en/basilica-cistern

Is the online ticket worth it?

You can buy your ticket online through the official Passo sales channel: passo.com.tr.

However, the price is higher than if you buy on the spot:

• 2 145 try - daily admission
• night admission cannot be purchased online

Buying online saves you standing in line, but for me it's only worth it in the summer (May to October) or on weekends when long lines can form.

Transportation to the Basilica Cistern

The entrance to the cistern is from Yerebatan Street, which is easily reached on foot from other sights or by public transport:

• Tram - Sultanahmet stop: the T1 tram line stops near the cistern and can be used to travel between the main sights.

Where to stay nearby (most practical)

Sultanahmet is the obvious choice if you want to have the most important sights nearby.

Pros:

• Sights on foot
• minimum transfers

Disadvantages:

• touristy
• quieter in the evening

Hotels a few minutes from the sights

What to see around

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