Istanbul · Sultanahmet and the old city
Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan)
A 6th century underground water cistern, with rows of columns rising from shallow water. It changed operator in June 2026, so check the current status.
- 45 min
- Adult ticket: not confirmed
- Booking advised
- Sultanahmet and the old city
Data checked on November 2, 2026
Emperor Justinian had the cistern built in the 6th century to store water for the Great Palace and the buildings around it. It covers about 10,000 square metres and holds 80,000 tonnes of water, with marble columns standing in shallow water along raised walkways. The route is one way and most visits are short.
What to look for
- Columns reused from older Roman buildings
- The Medusa head bases at the far end
- Raised walkways over the water
Opening hours
Hours not confirmed. Check the official site.
Pages from the earlier operator gave 09:00 to 22:00 every day, with a pause around 18:30. The cistern passed to the Directorate General of Foundations in June 2026 and reopened to visitors on 6 June, so confirm hours and prices on the official page before you go.
Source: KÜLTÜR.İSTANBUL (Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality), checked November 2, 2026
Tickets and booking
Adult ticket: not confirmed. The price for foreign visitors changed with the new operator, so check the official page.
Tickets used to be sold online for daytime and evening sessions. Check how the new operator sells them.
Getting there
Take the T1 tram to Sultanahmet; the cistern is a few minutes from Hagia Sophia.
Tip
Go at opening to have the walkways almost empty. The floor is wet and the light is low, so wear shoes with grip.