Visit the Basilica Cistern, built in the 4th century and enlarged in 532 AD, used as water storage during Byzantine times. Listen to your guide as they explain the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology. Explore this cathedral-size cistern, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 532 A.D. to supply water to the Great Palace. It stores up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, delivered via 20 kilometers of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea. Descend the fifty-two stone steps into the entrance of the cistern. The cistern is surrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 meters, coated with a waterproofing mortar. Hear how the Basilica Cistern's water comes from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Center in the Belgrade Forest and travels through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, built by the Emperor Justinian.
Skip the line ticket and guided tour to the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul
- Multiple departure times throughout the day give you more control over your day of sightseeing
- First time? Perfect chance to get to the know the area like a pro
- Tell the guide what you want and let them focus the tour on your interests
- Save time and see more with skip-the-line access
- Smaller group size gives you a personalized experience in good company
Guided tour
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Guided walking tour
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Entrance ticket
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Tour guide
Guided tour
Additional food and drinks
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Tips (optional)
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Hotel pick-up/drop-off
Additional food and drinks
Binbirdirek, BUSFORUS ISTANBUL (HOP ON HOP OFF TOURS), Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye
- Infants up to 2 years can join the activity for free
- The tour guide will be carrying a white flag with Istanbul Tourist Pass logo
What people say about this experience
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