Şerefiye Cistern

Istanbul


When an unremarkable 1950s municipal building on this site was demolished in 2010, the construction crew made an exciting subterranean discovery: a Byzantine cistern dating from the reign of Emperor Theodosius. Research has found that the structure was built between 428 and 443 and was known as the Constantinus or Theodosius Cistern. Now restored, a wooden walkway allows visitors to easily admire the water-covered marble base, vaulted brick ceiling and 32 massive marble columns (unfortunately marred with modern metal braces).

One of the Roman city's three major cisterns (with the 4th century Binbirdirek Cistern and the 6th century Basilica Cistern), the structure stored water brought to the city from the Belgrade Forest by the Aqueduct of Valens.

Admission to the cistern was free at the time of research, but a fee may be introduced in the future.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Istanbul attractions

1. Column of Constantine

0.11 MILES

Erected by order of the Emperor Constantine to celebrate the dedication of New Rome (Constantinople) as capital of the Roman Empire in 330, this column is…

2. Vezir Han

0.13 MILES

One of the many hans (caravanserais) in the Bazaar District, this huge structure was built between 1659 and 1660 by the Köprülüs, a distinguished Ottoman…

3. Sokullu Şehit Mehmet Paşa Mosque

0.16 MILES

Mimar Sinan designed this mosque in 1571 at the height of his architectural career. Besides its architectural harmony, the mosque is unusual because the…

4. Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts

0.17 MILES

This Ottoman palace was built in 1524 for İbrahim Paşa, childhood friend, brother-in-law and grand vizier of Süleyman the Magnificent. It now houses a…

5. Rough-Stone Obelisk

0.18 MILES

After sacking Aya Sofya in 1204, the soldiers of the Fourth Crusade tore all the plates from this obelisk, at the Hippodrome's southern end, in the…

6. Spiral Column

0.18 MILES

Coming up out of a hole in the ground, this strange column was once much taller and was topped by three serpents' heads. Originally cast to commemorate a…

7. Obelisk of Theodosius

0.18 MILES

In the centre of the Hippodrome, this immaculately preserved pink granite obelisk was carved in Egypt during the reign of Thutmose III (r 1549–1503 BC)…

8. Marmara University Republican Museum

0.19 MILES

Located at the southern end of the Hippodrome, this museum is housed in a handsome example of Ottoman Revivalism, a homegrown architectural style popular…