Deep beneath the bustling roads of Istanbul, a mere 500 feet from Aya Sophia, lies one of the most intriguing structures of the metropolis -- a cistern built in the 6th century by emperor Justinian, to provide a water filtration system to the Great Palace of Constantinople. The 100,000 sq ft chamber was capable of holding almost 3 million cubic feet of water. The cathedral-sized chamber is populated by a forest of nearly 400 marble columns standing amidst the dark water under which an ethereal red light reigns and myriads of carp abound.
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| Inside Yerebatan Serai | The upside down Medusa supporting one of the pillars |
Cistern ceiling |
