✦ The Ancient Atlas

Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan)

UndergroundTürkiye

Massive underground Byzantine cistern in Istanbul, built under Justinian I in 532 CE to supply water to the Great Palace. 138 m long, 65 m wide, 9 m high, supported by 336 marble columns. The two famous Medusa-head bases at the northwest corner are reused from earlier Roman structures. Part of Istanbul's extensive Byzantine water-supply system that included aqueducts, smaller cisterns, and an extensive underground network.

41.0083°, 28.9778°

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