Yerebatan Sarayi (which translates
as "Sunken Palace") is Istanbul's
largest underground cistern. It is
the only one in the city that has
been renovated and opened for public
viewing. The cistern was constructed
during the reign of Constantine I in
the 4th century and was enlarged by
Justinian I in the 6th century. For
much of the Ottoman period it served
as little more than a well and a
fishing hole for the locals in what
is now Sultanahmet.
In 1987
the cistern underwent massive
restoration work, which included the
removal of 50,000 tons of mud and
water. Today Yerebatan Sarayi is a
major tourist attraction and offers
cool respite from Istanbul's searing
summer heat. Pulsing lights, water
dripping from the ceiling and eerie
music played over strategically
placed speakers add an air of
mystery to the place
The cistern is 140 by 70 meters (459
by 230 feet) and holds 80,000 cubic
meters of water. Supporting the
ceiling of small domes are 336
columns, many of which are
mismatched and appear to have been
pilfered from elsewhere. The purpose
of the two large Medusa heads
supporting a pair of columns on the
north side of the cistern is unknown,
since they were not discovered until
the cistern was drained..
Address:
Yerebatan Caddesi, Sultanahmet
Telephone: +90-212 522 12 59
Open Hours: Open 09:00-18:00 daily,
except Monday (October to March :
09:00-17:00
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