Istanbul's Yerebatan Cistern undergoes restoration after 500 years

The historic Yerebatan (Basilica) Cistern, which is Turkey's third most visited spot in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet district, has been undergoing a comprehensive restoration process for the first time after 500 years. 

The restoration, carried out by Hera Restoration, will last for 450 days and end on March 11, 2018. The cistern will be open to visitors during the restoration process. 

The works are expected to rearrange the entrance and exit sections of the cistern due to overcrowding at the entrance of the cistern, where visitor queues have occasionally extended to the streets and caused discomfort among visitors. The entrance will be covered with a glass roof and a waiting area will be built. 

The restoration plan also includes maintenance works on the walking route inside the cistern. Particularly on rainy days, the ceiling has caused water leakages, causing slippery surfaces. An isolation system will be made on the ceiling. 

The reinforced concrete platform in the cistern structure will be removed and replaced with a new platform to be built with modern materials. 

The cistern's columns, walls and vaults will also be reinforced with the guidance of a technical report. The columns that were reinforced in previous restorations will be removed and restored to their original. 

The 4thcentury Million Stone, which is located in the park next to the cistern and recognized as the beginning of all ancient Roman ways and the center of the world and the 16th century water gage will also undergo restoration. 

Located opposite to the Hagia Sophia in Sultanahmet in the historical peninsula, the cistern was built by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 542. The cistern, which is 140 meters in length and 70 meters...