Theodosius Cistern – Cisterns to Visit in Istanbul
One of the best places to see in Istanbul, Theodosius Cistern is one of the historical places that impresses people with its appearance. Theodosius Cistern is located in Fatih district in Istanbul, on Pierre Loti street.
Theodosius Cistern (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) Fatih Istanbul
Between 428 and 443, the Eastern Roman Emperor II. Theodosius Cistern, built by Theodosius, is one of the important works built to meet the water needs of Istanbul, together with the Binbirdirek Cistern (4th century) and the Basilica Cistern (6th century).
In 375, the Eastern Roman Emperor Valens had the Valens Aqueduct, which we know today as the Bozdoğan Aqueduct, built. The purpose of the arch was to distribute water from the water sources near the Belgrad Forest to the Great Palace, Zeuksippos Baths and the Great Fountain. Theodosius Cistern, like other cisterns, was used to store incoming water. It has been determined that there is a connection between Theodosius Cistern and the Cistern of Philoxenos Cistern. A connection was also found between the Basilica and Binbirdirek Cisterns.
Theodosius Cistern ceiling height is 9 meters. There are a total of 32 columns with 4 rows and 8 rows. There are 224 columns with a height of 12.5 meters in Binbirdirek and 336 columns with a height of 9 meters in Basilica.
Arif Paşa Mansion was built on Theodosius Cistern in the 1910s, and the building that was also used as the Eminönü Municipality Building in the 1950s. In 2010, it was announced that the old Eminönü Municipality building would be demolished and Theodosius Cistern would be restored and unearthed.
After the 8-year restoration was completed in April 2018, the cistern was opened to visitors. Entrance and exit takes place from the glass-surfaced building on Piyer Loti Street. For those who cannot use the stairs, comfortable access is provided by the elevator.
Theodosius Cistern is open to visitors every day from 09:00 to 19:00 and admission is free. Currently, there is no touristic establishment in the cistern. The cistern, which is quite airy, has beautiful lighting and music broadcast.
