Another structure built by Justinian in 532 A.D. is the Basilica Cistern. It was built as an underground water storage area for the city of Constantinople. It feels very Phantom of the Opera in there with the water and the lighting.
The cistern is surrounded by masonry walls 4 meters thick. The columns are spaced 4.9 meters apart. The columns are all slightly different than each other. There are Ionic, Corinthian, and a few Doric columns. Water came to the cistern through an aqueduct that was 19 km long.
Two of the pictures below show Medusa heads. One is upside down and the other is on the side.
The entrance fee is 10 Turkish Lira a person. There's not a lot to see in there but once again it's fascinating to me that a structure like this could be built so long ago.
2 comments:
It looks so quiet in there...
So if you've a date in Constantinople, she'll be waiting in Istanbul!
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