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Basilica Cistern(Istanbul): Skip the line Ticket with Guided Tour

icon 1 hours Mobile ticket Free Cancellation
Tickets from € 12.00

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Visit the Basilica Cistern, built in the 4th century and enlarged in 532 AD, used as water storage during Byzantine times. Listen to your guide as they explain the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology. Explore this cathedral-size cistern, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 532 A.D. to supply water to the Great Palace. It stores up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, delivered via 20 kilometers of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea. Descend the fifty-two stone steps into the entrance of the cistern. The cistern is surrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 meters, coated with a waterproofing mortar. Hear how the Basilica Cistern's water comes from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Center in the Belgrade Forest and travels through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, built by the Emperor Justinian.
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  • Professional guide
  • Admission Ticket to Basilica Cistern
  • Lunch
  • Private transportation
Departure Point

Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. No:1, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye Meeting point is in front of the Exit Gate of the Cistern. The guide will be carrying a flag with the logo of Istanbul Tourist Pass. This museum CANNOT be visited without the guide.

Return Details

Alemdar, Yerebatan Cd. 1/3, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey After the tour, you will have free time to explore on your own and take picure

  • Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey
    Fifty two steps, a jungle of three hundred and thirty six columns, an enchanting and uncanny darkness, and the phosphorescence of the water...like a secret underground kingdom, which has waited for fifteen hundred years for the sun’s light to illuminate it. Don’t be mistaken when reading these incredible words: This historical and mysterious place actually exists in Istanbul. It is the water cistern, which was built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian the First (527 – 565) in order to meet the water needs of Constantinople. Due to the fact that Constantinople era Istanbul was constantly besieged during the Roman and Byzantine periods, it was constantly in need of a regular supply of water. To meet this need, a great number of cisterns were constructed during both eras. The Yerebatan Cistern, which is also known as the Basilica Cistern, is the largest and most impressive of all of the cisterns in the city. The Yerebatan Cistern amazes all of its visitors with its marble pillars. Indeed, one might even think that such a magnificent space could, in fact, be a castle.
    30 minutes
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
cpardo2021
24 Jul 2023
El sitio maravillosa y la guía que en suerte nos correspondió.. EXCELENTE…estamos 100 % satisfechos. La guía estupenda en su conocimiento como en su gran simpatía y Don de Gentes, quedamos enteramente satisfechos con ella …
sharon_r
12 Jul 2023
We waited at the designated location and the tour guide never showed up! We sent a message only to get a reply back the guide was sick and never coming. Why we weren't notified of this ahead of time. We never got to see the Basilica Cistern because of this. We were very disappointed and wasted time, money and energy for nothing.
Mirjana_D
07 Jul 2023
Avoid this tour and get a tour guide directly at the basilica cistern for half price! We were detained due to a city emergency. We contacted the tour operator to inform them we may be late. Did not get a response. No option for refund since we booked same day. Disappointing experience with tour and viator.
This tour in Istanbul is organized by Istanbul Tourist Pass®

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We always double-check the availability with our local partners for each booking. Even though this is usually a swift process, it can take up to 24 hours. Once this process is completed you will receive your voucher or ticket by email. If our local partner is not able to confirm your booking we will offer you the best possible alternative. If the new date and/or time doesn’t fit your itinerary, we will reimburse the full amount paid.
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