Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern (Turkish: Yerebatan Cistern, Yerebatan Sarayi also ), often called Sunken Palace, is a late ancient cistern west of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The plant is one of the most impressive sights of the city.

Architecture

Originally the cistern by the Emperor Constantine to have been commissioned. However, their appearance and their size owes the 138 meter long and 65 meter wide underground cistern Emperor Justinian. This could create the cistern between 532 and about 542 for water storage for the Great Palace. In addition there was a large basilica, so the cistern is also called cisterna basilica. It has a capacity of about 80,000 cubic meters of water. Twelve rows of 28, for a total of 336 eight -meter high columns with Corinthian Spolienkapitellen predominantly carry the vault. The water that came in best quality from the Belgrade forest in the highlands west of Istanbul on the viaducts of Hadrian and of Valens, was used to supply the imperial household. The plant can be visited. In the water of the cistern several, sometimes very pale to white fish are often observed. In the northwest corner of the cistern the reliefs reverse Medusenhäupter are seen. These are flawed and are originally from the Prokonesos quarries. The Basilica Cistern is a popular attraction today. It will be staged play of light over the loudspeaker comes to classical music.

Movies

Through the James Bond film From Russia With Love, in which a scene takes place in the cistern, the system was further known. Even a scene of Jackie Chan Accidental Spy film played there. See the plot of the novel Istanbul and die of the German -Turkish presenter and writer Hülya Özkan and its film adaptation The Body in the cistern are also located in the cistern. An important role of place in Dan Brown's novel Inferno.