Goodwill Cistern

With its 1600-year history - 100 years older than Hagia Sophia - Şerefiye Cistern, one of the oldest known water structures in Istanbul, is one of the many Byzantine Period works located in the Historical Peninsula.

Istanbul, which has hosted countless civilizations with its hundreds of years of history, has been experiencing water supply problems since the Roman Period and the water needs were met from outside the city with the transmission lines built. Şerefiye Cistern, which does not have a construction inscription, is thought to have been built by Emperor Theodosius II between 428 and 443. The cistern, together with the Binbirdirek Cistern built in the 4th century and the Basilica Cistern built later in the 6th century, served as a water tank that met Istanbul's water needs for centuries. The most striking feature of the cistern located within the borders of the Fatih district is that, just like the Basilica Cistern, this cistern is also connected to the Binbirdirek Cistern.

The cistern, whose restoration was completed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in 2018, has been covered with a special glass and steel construction to make it more protected. When we enter this cistern, which was built on an area of ​​approximately 24 meters by 40 meters, we are greeted by 45 sail vaults and 32 columns, each reaching a height of 9 meters. All of the Corinthian style capitals carrying impost blocks on them are made of Marmara Island marble specifically for the Cistern, and the capitals are decorated with acanthus (bear claw) leaves. The inner walls of the structure, which has a wall thickness of approximately 2.5 meters, are covered with waterproof plaster and the corners are curved to withstand water pressure.

Drawing attention as an important tourism destination, the Şerefiye Cistern also hosts cultural events and offers its guests a magical atmosphere with the music played inside. You can visit the cistern, which attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists, between 09:00 in the morning and 18:30 in the evening.