The Underground Palace in Istanbul: A Must-See Enigma

Hello everyone who's stopped by!

I've been itching to visit the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul for ages, and it's finally off my bucket list. This underground water reservoir is one of the most famous and visited in the city, and for good reason.

Basilica Cistern reviews in IstanbulAddress: Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, TurkeyOpening Hours: Open daily from 9 to 22, with a break from 18:30 to 19:30Getting There: The Basilica Cistern is right in the heart of the city, near the Hippodrome Square and the Aya Sofia and Sultanahmet mosquesAdmission Fee: 1300 lira from 9:00 to 18:30, 2000 lira from 19:30 to 22:00. Kids under 7 get in for free.📍A BIT OF HISTORY

The Basilica Cistern has a rich history. These underground water reservoirs were built to store water in case of drought or siege - it was a vital resource for the city back then. It was built in the 6th century AD, and it's amazing that it's still standing in such good shape, despite being abandoned for a long time.

Inside the Basilica CisternIt only opened as a museum in 1987, and it's now become a must-see attraction in Istanbul.📍ABOUT THE MUSEUM

We visited the Basilica Cistern during the day, which meant we had to wait in line. But it moved pretty quickly, and you can pay a bit extra to skip the queue. Tickets can be bought online, as I found out, but we went the old-fashioned way and bought them at the ticket counter.

How to Get to the Basilica Cistern We used our UnionPay card for payment, and you can also get an audio guide for 300 lira, but locals pay just 300 lira, while we foreigners are basically subsidizing them. Basilica Cistern Entrance Tickets As we head down, it gets really chilly, so dress warmly. First of all, it's an underground structure, and secondly, the humidity is high, and the cistern is partially filled with water. Inside the Basilica Cistern The area is massive, around 10,000 square meters, and even with a big crowd, the space seems to organize itself. Inside the Basilica Cistern The only place where people tend to cluster is near the most interesting spots. The Basilica looks really atmospheric, with a high ceiling supported by columns of different shapes. There are walkways for visitors, as the floor is covered with water. Inside the Basilica Cistern At first, it seems like the views are all the same, but no, it's like a massive underground palace with many rooms. Inside the Basilica Cistern The lighting in the cistern changes constantly. Inside the Basilica Cistern Sometimes the rooms are lit up green, sometimes red, sometimes brown. Inside the Basilica Cistern And in different lighting, the Basilica looks completely different. Inside the Basilica Cistern My favorite lighting effect was when the water-covered floor became a mirror, reflecting the columns, like there's a whole other world beneath the surface. Inside the Basilica Cistern The changing lighting was mesmerizing, and I heard people gasping in amazement all around me. Inside the Basilica CisternInside the Basilica Cistern The Basilica Cistern is, without a doubt, super photogenic – it's no wonder it's been featured in so many movies. But it's not just about the aesthetics (I mean, it's beautiful). Inside, there are some really interesting exhibits that offer a historical perspective. There are these installations that break up the monotony of the 'halls' – they're a nice touch. But what really caught my attention were the Medusa heads – I counted three of them. Two of them are at the base of the columns, and I have no idea who put them there or why. One's facing sideways, the other's upside down. And then there's this really cool metal statue that casts a shadow on the wall – it's like magic. Of course, people have started to gather around to see the commotion – but the security guard is always keeping an eye on things and shooing away anyone who's lingering. Another interesting exhibit is the weeping column, dated to the end of the 4th century AD. Those glass leaves growing out of the water are pretty trippy. The dried-up tree over there is over 6,500 years old, according to the sign next to it. And there are plenty of other weird and wonderful installations to check out.Walking around the 'underground palace' for almost an hour was more than enough time to take it all in.

Cistern Basilica insideBut we got pretty chilly, even though we were dressed okay. Important note: there are no toilets at the cistern.

Cistern Basilica insideWe came out on the other side, not where we went in.

Cistern Basilica insideAnd the amazing thing is, we were standing there, and underneath us was a whole underground world. There are a lot of cisterns in Istanbul, but this one is definitely the most impressive.

To get a feel for the atmosphere, I'd recommend checking out this short video.

📍GENERAL IMPRESSION

I've finally ticked off the Basilica Cistern from my bucket list, and it was well worth the wait. Originally built as a water source, it's now become something much bigger, with its own unique mystical atmosphere that sets it apart from other Istanbul attractions. I wish it were a bit cheaper, but I guess you have to pay what you have to pay.

Basilica Cistern reviewsThis was the only big splurge on museums in Istanbul, the rest we saw either for free or for a small fee.

If you want to get a sense of what Istanbul's cisterns are like, you can check out the free cistern at the carpet shop.

For a more detailed review of Istanbul, including a three-day itinerary:

I'm debunking the myth that Istanbul is a super expensive city. How to budget-travel in Istanbul for three full days