Discover what happened to the Basilica Cistern after 1453, from Ottoman-era neglect and Petrus Gyllius’s exploration to its restoration and Medusa heads.

Discover how the Basilica Cistern was built with thousands of laborers, 336 marble columns, vaulted brickwork and waterproof Khorasan mortar.

Book Basilica Cistern tickets and learn about prices, daytime and Night Shift admission, skip-the-ticket-line entry, digital guides and visitor tips.

Explore 7 details inside Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern, from Medusa heads and marble columns to Byzantine engineering, reflections and hidden history.