Did you know there is a sunken palace in Istanbul that you can visit beneath the busy streets of Sultanahmet? 😱

It’s called Basilica Cistern and it is the largest ancient cistern in the city created in the 6th century. 

It was used to store water sourced from the Valens Aqueduct and provided water to the Byzantine and Ottoman Palaces of Constantinople. 🏛️🏺

The most intriguing part of the attraction is the pair of upside-down Medusa Heads. No one really knows where they came from and their purpose remains a bit of a mystery 🐍

I think that the Basilica Cistern is a must-visit attraction in Istanbul as it feels like you’ve been transported back in time to the Byzantine Empire.

Top tips for visiting ⬇️
⏰It’s open from 9 am – 10 pm most evenings
📸Head there for opening time for the best experience
🙃You will most likely have to queue to go inside
🌞Ticket prices are 600 TL before 6.30 pm
🌚After 7.30 pm prices go up to 1000TL but there are shows
👟Wear sensible shoes as the floor gets wet
🔦It’s also quite dark with different lights throughout your visit
💦It’s very humid so wear layers you can take off
🐍Have patience if you want to capture the Medusa Heads without people

Do you have the Basilica Cistern on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

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