The Basilica Cistern, also known as Yerebatan Sarnıcı, is a vast underground reservoir in Istanbul, Turkey, constructed during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century (532 AD). It was designed to store and supply water for the city, particularly the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings on the First Hill. The cistern’s name refers to its location beneath the Stoa Basilica, a Byzantine public square.
Key Features and History:
- Construction: The Basilica Cistern was built as part of a larger water supply system for Constantinople.
- Purpose: It provided a reliable water source, crucial during sieges when external water supplies were cut off.
- Architecture: The cistern features 336 marble columns, some of which are decorated with Medusa heads, which are believed to have been repurposed from earlier Roman structures.
- Capacity: It has a storage capacity of approximately 100,000 tons of water.
- Post-Ottoman Conquest: The cistern continued to be used by the Ottomans after they conquered Constantinople in 1453, although its significance diminished over time.
- Location: It is located in Istanbul, Turkey, beneath the Stoa Basilica.
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