Basilica Cistern or Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı)

Basilica Cistern or Underground Cistern (Yerebatan Sarayı)
This underground cistern was built in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian as a water reservoir. It has a size of 140 x 70 m and is supported by 336 columns (8 ft high). Capacity: 80,000 m3. Are particularly famous for the base of some columns with Medusenköpfen. By the way: This is also a part of the James Bond film "From Russia with Love" was filmed. The Basilica Cistern or Basilica Cistern is located near the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet district.

Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya)

One of the most beautiful sights of Istanbul's Hagia Sophia (Church of Divine Wisdom). She is in the Sultanahmet district, near the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Museum. The Hagia Sophia is one of the largest churches in the world. By Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th Been commissioned century inaugurated in 537 by Emperor Justinian, it is considered one of the most beautiful religious buildings of early Christianity and is one of the most important works of Byzantine art. Particularly impressive is the dome over the main vessel with 40-glazed windows with a vertical height of 55 m. After the conquest of Istanbul by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453 it was converted into a mosque minarets and received 4. Since 1934, the Hagia Sophia is a museum.