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 Sarayı is a major tourist attraction and
offers cool respite from İstanbul'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 )
