Deep below ground are wonders of ancient Roman engineering
One and a half millenia ago, when Istanbul, then Constantinople, was the centre of the Roman empire, huge underground water tanks were built to give clean filtered water during times of drought or siege.
The most famous of these are the 6th century Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) which has 336 nine metre high columns, some of which still have their Corinthian capitols, and two Medusa head pillar bases.
As I walked the raised ramps just inches above the water, droplets from the ceiling seemed to give the place animation as little splashes rippled around me.
It really was a feat of Byzantine engineering and something of beauty. Considering this place wouldn’t have been seen by the public and all of it woud have been under water back in ancient times, it shows what pride they had in their workmanship.
There was certainly a feeling of walking through a flooded cathedral or a sunken palace that seemed to whisper of grander times. The word cistern certainly didn’t feel appropriate.
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