The Basilica Cistern
758 reviews
September 20
A divine place) Although there are a lot of people, you can still take pictures and see interesting places) I also advise you to visit this place)
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1
November 10
Of course, this place can be attributed to the most unusual sights of Istanbul. This is the first time I've seen this, and my sister, who has traveled half the world, has also never seen anything like this before. The impression is very vivid! We recommend a mandatory visit!
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November 25
to take a picture without people, you have to try very hard. in order not to get someone in the frame, you have to try even harder. spectacular lighting change. but, the queue for an hour is not worth it, it's better to have a kebab for an extra hour. if you decide to visit, try before lunch:the sooner the better, you will save a lot of time.
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June 20
The mystically fascinating basilica cistern! The lighting is changing, there are art objects that are successfully integrated into the interior of the Basilica. I didn't like the fact that tourists throw coins into the water (well, a herd of sheep - one threw it, others also need it). Sorry for the comparison). You can walk with a calm step in 30-40 minutes. On a hot day, it is especially pleasant to go down to the dungeon - it is cool there. In June 2024, the cost of a visit is 800 Turkish lira. We were lucky - the queue at the checkout was small. I recommend visiting for lovers of history and beautiful shots
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June 10
A must-visit. The first day of rest we went- it was closed. But after a couple of days, it worked. The atmosphere is incredible. It's very fascinating, the photos turn out to be unusually interesting. Listen to a brief history of the tank's origin
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3
April 10
One of the cisterns of Constantinople, along with the cistern of Theodosius, is well equipped and illuminated. The bonus is all sorts of art objects and the head of the Gorgon Medusa and the Column of Tears, which are written about in all guidebooks. Fans of Bond and Dan Brown will be interested to see the filming location of the films (actually, the cistern went for a large-scale restoration after Tom Hanks rowed in a boat between the columns in Inferno).
The tank is worth the money, of course you can go to smaller places for free (khe-khe Nakkash carpet store and in Gulhane Park), but this one is striking in its size and gives a good idea of how everything was arranged.
See original · Русский
3
November 16
It is impressive how people were able to create such a complex engineering structure a hundred years ago . But. The cost of admission, in my opinion, is high. You will not be able to look at it calmly because of the huge number of tourists. Nearby there is a completely free and no less beautiful cistern with almost no people
See original · Русский
December 17
It's beautiful and atmospheric, but there are too many tourists to enjoy the scope properly. And quite expensive
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August 4
Gorgeous views inside, fantastic installations in the water. It's cool in the summer heat. The backlight is just super.
See original · Русский
3
November 26
If you go on this tour, I recommend it with an audio guide. Because without it, not everything will be clear. In general, the place is impressive, fascinating and with the story of the audio guide it is quite interesting, but sooooo expensive. 3000 per person😩
The queues are not long.
See original · Русский
October 13
An impressive structure!! And the most important thing is historically priceless, we must always remember this and try to preserve it
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December 14
An interesting attraction, worth visiting at least once. An unusual and even mysterious place. The breath of history is felt
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January 1
The Basilica cistern in the center of old Istanbul is worthy of every tourist's visit. It is unlikely that you will see such a structure anywhere else in the world. It is located to the right of the famous St. Sophia, in a nondescript one-story building. But you will immediately see a long queue at the ticket offices. Do not be afraid, even in high season, you will complete it in a maximum of 30 minutes. There's always shade on this side of the street, so you won't burn out in the sun. Volunteers are scurrying around, helping advanced tourists to issue an electronic ticket and get into the Tank without queuing. The pleasure is not cheap (about 2000 rubles), but it is worth a visit. More interesting than the numerous mosques (which are also magnificent). The cistern is a huge underground structure for storing drinking water (in the Middle Ages). There's a museum there now. It is interesting with its columns and changing illumination. So I recommend it. You will not wish!
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3
1
November 15
Fabulously beautiful, the music is magical! It's a bit expensive- 650 Tl, but the experience is worth it! I definitely recommend it!
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August 4
A very cool atmospheric place, beautiful locations, a must-visit. There is an audio guide.
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4
November 16
The Basilica cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı), the construction of which began fifteen hundred years ago under Emperor Constantine, and which was closed for some time, has been available to visitors since November 9, 2023. If you want to inspect the tank, it is better to arrive at the opening, by 9.00. An hour after the opening, there is a huge queue...
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2
December 6, 2023
The place is truly amazing, with beautiful lighting and unusual sculptures. The acoustics are very good here and therefore classical music concerts are held periodically. I definitely recommend watching it!
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3
November 14
It's an amazing place. Everything that was BEFORE is fine, it would still be ideal to visit without a large number of tourists))
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December 17
An amazing engineering structure! It is impressive in its scale , and everything was done beautifully and mysteriously inside
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March 24
The cisterns of the Basilica are a must-visit place in Istanbul. The unique lighting creates an atmosphere of extraordinary color. The feeling of a fabulous place! The various shapes of the columns add to the effect of being present in the past)
See original · Русский
2
December 8
It's a beautiful place, but the entrance is expensive. In November 2024, 1000 liras are already being asked for admission! You can walk through the dungeon without a guide in 20 minutes. In order not to stand in line for an hour at the entrance, it is better to come in the morning.
See original · Русский
November 14
Everything you need to know about this place. Enterprising guys have appropriated what they did not create, and they charge tourists a lot of money. And even more in the evening. If you want to stand in line for an hour for 15 minutes, then fine.
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March 19
It is located in the historical center of Istanbul. An underground reservoir built by the Greeks. Paid entrance. There is high humidity inside. It's a little dark for photos and videos, there is a backlight. Interesting exhibitions and sculptures. Beautiful columns made of different types of marble.
See original · Русский
November 20
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is one of the largest and best preserved ancient underground reservoirs in Constantinople.
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1
October 10
At first I was in another tank, a smaller one, and I was impressed. I didn't want to go to this one anymore. I thought it was nothing new. But! It's overwhelming. Especially if you think about when it was created, what tools, the level of logistics and mechanization. It is necessary to visit here. To see with your own eyes the result of creative work.
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November 9, 2023
In the underground room of a small one-story building with an inconspicuous entrance there is a huge water storage tank built in 532 AD. There is not much water in it, compared to the size of the room. How such an amount of water could meet the needs of citizens is not clear… But it's worth visiting, it's quite unusual, especially on a hot day you don't want to leave there.
There is a big queue at the entrance. Enterprising businessmen offer to pass without a queue for an additional fee – do not be fooled by their tricks, the queue goes very fast.
See original · Русский
5
1
September 2
A very atmospheric place with a rich history and mysteries. I recommend that you definitely visit. It's quite comfortable and cool down there. The cost on 08/31/2024 was 800 lira for 1 person, but definitely this place needs to be visited!
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May 28
It is very beautiful and fascinating. Excellent lighting, ancient columns collected from different places, differing from each other - very impressive
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August 11
Buy tickets in advance, and do not stand in a huge queue. It's humid inside. Atmospheric. You can read the information on the Internet and do without a guide. And find the third Gargoeu yourself) she is there, nearby.
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July 7
What is most important to know: it's cool there (it's a buzz), the entrance costs 600 lira, read the history of the tank in advance and calmly walk around it without a guide in 12 minutes
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3
September 19
A must-visit, the room is not of probable size, very beautiful, especially the changing lighting.
See original · Русский
3
1
August 2
The scale of the reservoir is amazing. How many earthquakes have occurred in the centuries since the Cistern was built - and it costs… Entrance is paid, there are other cisterns in Istanbul where you can get in for free, in the Basilica Cistern during the day the cost of visiting is cheaper than the evening entrance.
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3
October 27
A great place, an underground reservoir. Like a big underground palace. Very beautiful.
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October 31
The reservoir is a former one. But they arranged beautiful lighting and installations and turned out to be a tourist site. It's bad that they only take their own currency for payment and had to look for an exchanger first
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September 22
It's beautiful and interesting. But 900 lire per person is too much. Almost the same thing can be seen next to the mosque
See original · Русский
1
1
February 10
I really liked it. The first time I was in an underground reservoir. An underground palace, the atmosphere is indescribable. January 2024 admission cost 600 liras (1800 Russian rubles). A must-visit in Istanbul!!!!!!
See original · Русский
4
December 12, 2023
It's a very atmospheric place. Before that, I had only seen it in computer games. That's why it feels even more interesting, as if it had already been there.) The entrance is now not where Yandex shows, there is now an exit. The entrance is opposite and down the street. The price for the cache for Russians is 450 liras. It's December. For two, 3,000 rubles is ours at the exchange rate. Of course, by our standards it is very expensive. They say it's cheaper to buy online. But our cards don't work. And the locals generally have 80 lire. Feature: cash registers right at the entrance. Different: credit cards, cash, etc.… There is a long queue for online tickets. Although it was previously written that they are faster. There was no one at all behind the cache, they immediately passed.
See original · Русский
7
December 1, 2023
An amazing place, fascinating... There was no special queue. Most importantly, remember that the entrance is through a pale yellow building across the street from the exit (the exit is visible to everyone, the entrance is somehow not very). Everything is close to Ai-Sofia. Tickets are online, from vending machines, and at the box office. It is very beautifully illuminated, the colors change. There are many interesting modern sculptures inscribed in this ancient space. It's quite warm, but the water is dripping from above. Sometimes there are concerts, for sure, the acoustics are great
See original · Русский
July 16
I really liked it. A fascinating place. Don't be afraid of huge queues, queues pass quickly, maximum 15 minutes
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3
May 9, 2023
The Basiliki Cistern is one of the most spectacular architectural structures in Istanbul, Turkey. The cistern was built in the 6th century AD and served as a reservoir for the Byzantine Palace, and later for the Ottoman Empire.
Entrance prices to the Basilica Cistern in 2023
for foreign citizens — 190 Turkish lira, for children — 20 Turkish lira, for Turkish citizens — 50 Turkish lira
My impression of the Basilica Cistern is very positive. After passing through its doors and descending the stairs, I found myself in a huge underground space filled with columns and flickering light. It seemed that I had entered a mystical world where time slows down, and all sounds sound as if from afar.
One of the most impressive elements of the Basilica Cistern is its columns, which are decorated with a capital in the form of a jellyfish or an eagle. The columns sink into the water, giving the impression that the water is holding on to them, which makes the situation even more mysterious.
In addition, there are several well-known objects inside the Basilica Cistern, such as two Medusa heads that were used as capitals, and a column with traces of a ball from a canonical painting.
Overall, the Basilica Cistern is a must-visit place in Istanbul, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in history, architecture, or looking for something unusual and exciting in this city.
بركة بازيليكا، المعروفة أيضًا باسم بركة القصر، واحدة من أكثر المعالم المعمارية المثيرة في إسطنبول، تركيا. تم بناء البركة في القرن السادس الميلادي وكانت تستخدم كخزان للمياه لقصر البيزنطيين، ومن ثم للإمبراطورية العثمانية.
انطباعي عن بركة بازيليكا إيجابي للغاية. بعد المرور من خلال أبوابها والنزول عبر الدرج، وجدت نفسي في مساحة ضخمة تحت الأرض مليئة بالأعمدة والضوء المتلألئ. بدا وكأنني دخلت عالمًا غامضًا حيث يتباطأ الوقت ويصدر كل الأصوات كأنها من بعيد.
واحدة من العناصر الأكثر إثارة للإعجاب في بركة بازيليكا هي أعمدتها، التي تزين كابيتال على شكل الأفعى أو النسر. تتغطى الأعمدة بالماء، مما يخلق انطباعًا بأن الماء يعتليها، مما يجعل الجو أكثر غموضًا.
بالإضافة إلى ذلك، هناك العديد من الأشياء الشهيرة داخل بركة بازيليكا، مثل رأسين لميدوزا، استخدما ككابيتال، وعمود يحمل آثار الكرة من لوحة كانونية.
بشكل عام، بركة بازيليكا هي مكان زيارة لا بد منه في إسطنبول، وأوصي بشدة بزيارتها لجميع من يهتم بالتاريخ والعمارة، أو يبحث عن شيء غير عادي ومثير في هذه المدينة.
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17
3
December 3
1000 lire, count 30 euros per nose, for foreigners. Turkish hospitality. The price has increased 3 times since last year. In total, it discouraged the desire to visit. And it's not about the money. Galata Tower is similar, 30 euros per lift. Have breakfast in a Turkish cafe for about 30 euros. Surprisingly, the magnets are still 2 euros, not 30.
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2
September 17
It's amazing! The pictures are cool. You can buy a ticket online, but not with a Russian card. You can do it on the spot at the checkout. The queue at the beginning of August was about 30 minutes long.
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December 16, 2023
Be sure to visit, the queue at the entrance, although large, passes quickly. It is located next to St. Sophia Cathedral in the very center of Istanbul. This is an ancient underground water storage built by the Greeks. It's very interesting inside.
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3
November 16
THE BASILICA CISTERN, BUILT IN THE 520S, SERVES AS A KEY THAT OPENS THE DOORS OF THE PAST
IT IS SAID THAT 20 THOUSAND SLAVES WORKED IN ITS CONSTRUCTION
THE CISTERN, WHICH HAS AN AREA OF 9800 M2, HOUSES 336 MILK IN IT
THIS CISTERN, WHICH HAS BEEN RESISTING EARTHQUAKES AND NATURAL DISASTERS FOR CENTURIES, IS AN ENORMOUS STRUCTURE THAT STARTED ACCEPTING VISITORS AS A MUSEUM IN 1982
I RECOMMEND THAT YOU COME BY TO TRAVEL THROUGH HISTORY
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3
December 10
An unusual and interesting place.
Especially if the guide tells you.
Beautiful pictures are obtained.
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September 19
This place is a must-visit. The time will take about 30 minutes. I advise you to come to the opening. There are not many visitors in the morning. The place is fascinating.
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4
October 13
The structure is amazing.
How at that time, people could build such a thing does not fit into the mind.
We were left with a good impression.
I think the price is too expensive.
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June 24
A gorgeous place, interesting, unusual, you can hide from the heat of the day. There are almost no queues in the morning and afternoon. Definitely worth including in the visit list!
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3
December 1
It's worth a visit. The queue is moving quite confidently. It was late in the afternoon. The cost is 1000 liras (October 2024, with an audio guide of 1900, headphones are not provided).
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October 1
One of the most impressive ancient reservoirs. I recommend it to all guests of Istanbul.
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1