Welcome to the Basilica Cistern, the ancient underground wonder built by Emperor Justinian I in 532! Hidden beneath the grand Stoa Basilica (where “Stoa” means column and “Basilica” means palace), this giant reservoir is a true marvel. Spanning a massive 140 meters in length and 70 meters in width, it’s like stepping into a secret water kingdom. Inside, you’ll find 336 towering columns. Each an impressive 9 meters tall, perfectly spaced in rows of 12 columns. There’s even a cool 52-step staircase to take you down into this underground treasure!
Originally built to quench the thirst of the Byzantine palace, this cistern still grabs attention with its grand columns and Medusa sculptures. But wait, there’s more! The cistern is now a hub for magical art performances and concerts, turning it into a portal to a different world. The entire space is a massive 9,800 square meters, holding up to 100,000 tons of water! Most of the columns are simple yet elegant, but a few stand out with quirky angular designs and grooves. Among them, some are adorned with mesmerizing motifs. Peacock eyes, hanging branches, and teardrops.
At the northwest corner, Medusa’s head takes center stage, with her upside-down position being a clever trick to stop anyone from turning to stone (yikes!). Medusa’s story is a classic: a stunning woman cursed by Athena, her hair turned into snakes, and anyone who met her gaze turned to stone. The twist? Medusa, unable to take it anymore, gazed into a mirror and turned to stone herself. The upside-down head is there to keep us safe from the curse… for now. 😱
source: trusted tours, yerebatan.com
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