An Interesting Place You Shouldn't Miss.

I’m taking you to a place I didn’t have high expectations for. I actually thought it would be just another overrated spot that people say is worth visiting but wouldn’t be anything special. Well, I was wrong.

The Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Saray – meaning Underground Palace) is a true architectural wonder. Built in the 6th century at the command of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, its towering columns and vast chambers were shaped by the hands of more than 6,500 slaves, whose labor ensured its survival through the ages.

There were even gardens surrounded by colonnades, facing Hagia Sophia (one of the most famous landmarks, originally built as a church, later turned into a mosque under different rulers).

A flight of fifty-two stone steps leads down to the entrance. Among the many wonders of this place, what left me spellbound was the sight of over 330 marble columns, standing in Ionic, Corinthian, and Doric elegance, each one towering at 8 meters.

These timeless pillars uphold a hidden world beneath the city, where an unbelievable 80,000 cubic meters of water remain stored. This is the largest covered cistern in Istanbul. More than 40 others have been discovered across the city, varying in size and decoration, but Yerebatan Saray is the largest and oldest.

It is also the best-preserved water reservoir in Istanbul and a key reason why the city remained unconquerable in the past -ensuring a constant supply of drinking water. At the far end of the cistern, I saw two columns featuring the face of Medusa from Greek mythology.

They were used as column bases, with one placed upside down. And this is where the mystery begins… Why is a creature from Greek mythology here, in the heart of Istanbul? Was it placed there to remind us not to fear turning to stone if we dare look into her eyes?

As it turns out, the Basilica Cistern has been immortalized in cinema, making an appearance in the 1969 James Bond film and the screen adaptation of Dan Brown’s Inferno.

This architectural marvel, standing the test of time since antiquity, remains one of the largest and most impressive of its kind. If Istanbul is on your travel list or even if it isn’t - this hidden wonder is an absolute must-visit.

In the end, I’m offering you the quintessential Turkish tea, something you simply can't miss)))
Enjoy!