The Basilica Cistern is one of the most important stops in both Istanbul and world tourism. It has been strengthened by the archaeological restoration works of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Department of Cultural Heritage.
In 2020 IMM Heritage teams took over the restoration works which had started in 2016, in line with the projects approved by the Conservation Board. The teams noted that the Basilica was at serious structural risk in the event of a potential Istanbul earthquake.
The teams, which created a new tensioning system within the scope of the strengthening works, also cleaned the moss and dirt from the marble columns. In addition, the original Byzantine floors were uncovered by removing the floors that has previously been added over the floor of the cistern and were incompatible with the structure.
The reinforced concrete walkways were removed, and a new walkway platform was prepared, made from light, transparent, and modular material, that intruded less on the original building. In order to preserve the mystical atmosphere of the cistern, a dynamic lighting design was applied. The lighting system is also used integrated with modern art performances.
The restoration was completed by rearranging the entrances and exits of the museum. After the restoration, the historical building was made ready to host exhibitions that integrate with the historical, physical, and cultural narrative of the place.
The Basilica Cistern, an artifact from Istanbul's ancient History, was built by Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. The historical cistern, which operates like a stagnant sea, has a water capacity of 80, 000 tons. It is called "Cisterna Basilica" in Latin.
The structure is also known as the Basilica Cistern today. The cistern met the water needs of the city for centuries, distributing water obtained from the waterways and rain to the Great Palace and surrounding structures where the emperors resided. The Basilica-planned Basilica Cistern is the largest closed cistern in the city, and has more spolia bearing elements than other closed cisterns. It contains a total of 336 columns in a 28 east-west oriented by 12 south-north oriented grid. It is estimated that most of these columns in the cistern, which is descended into via a 52-step stone staircase, were collected from older buildings.
The cistern covers an area of approximately 1000 square meters and is 140 meters long and 65 meters wide. It was used for a while for the needs of Topkapı Palace after the conquest of Istanbul by the Ottomans in 1453.
It is also known that the historical cistern continued to be used as a water well by locals in the region in a period of slow residential development. The building was not noticed by Westerners until the middle of the 16th century; thus, it was virtually rediscovered by the naturalist and topographer Petrus Gyllius, who lived in Istanbul between 1544 and 1555.
The Basilica Cistern, was repaired for the first time during the reign of Ahmed III in the Ottoman period, by Architect Mehmed Aga from Kayseri, and for the second time during the reign of Abdülhamid II. It would continue to undergo repairs in the following years. Between 1955 and 1960, 9 columns at risk of breaking were covered with a thick layer of concrete.
Medusa heads, the most important symbol of the Basilica, were discovered during the extensive repair and cleaning works carried out by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality between 1985 and 1987. Among the Medusa heads used as column bases, the one located on the west of the building stands upside down, while the one on the east stands horizontally. The Medusa heads here are thought to have been brought from Çemberlitaş since they have similar characteristics to the Medusa head samples found in the garden of the Istanbul Archaeological Museums and near the Tiled Pavilion.
The magnificent building was opened as a museum by the IMM in 1987 after it’s restoration. It has also hosted various national and international events over time. The Basilica Cistern hold 1500 years of layered memory and use. Thanks to the IMM restoration, this legacy continues.
