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-sized 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.

Additional Information

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Face masks required for travellers in public areas
• Face masks required for guides in public areas
• Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
• Social distancing enforced throughout experience
• Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
• Gear/equipment sanitised between use
• Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
• Guides required to regularly wash hands
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Logistics Instructions

Start location : Big Bus Sultanahmet stop in front of Hagia Sophia

End location : Big Bus Sultanahmet stop in front of Hagia Sophia

Tickets

*Mobile or paper ticket accepted
*One per booking

Prices

* Per Person

Adult : from 0 to 3 : from 0 to 15 Persons

Child : from 4 to 11 : from 0 to 15 Persons

Adult : from 12 to 99 : from 0 to 15 Persons

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

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