Roman cisterns

Ottoman and Byzantine-era remains unearthed

During the archaeological excavations in and around the Million Stone, located right next to the Basilica Cistern and is considered the zero point of the world, opposite the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul's Fatih district, the remains of buildings that are believed to be a neighborhood in the Ottoman Empire and walls from the Byzantine era have been unearthed.

Renovation work for Basilica Cistern to start after official ruling

The Cultural Heritage Preservation Board has approved a structural strengthening plan for the Basilica Cistern presented by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality 66 days ago, according to daily Milliyet.

"When the formal decision is delivered to us, we will start the renovation process in the Basilica Cistern," said Mahir Polat, secretary-general of the municipality.

Istanbul's Basilica Cistern on silver screen with 'Inferno'

Istanbul's Basilica (Yerebatan) Cistern, will be on the silver screen all around the world thanks to the film adaptation of Dan Brown's thriller "Inferno." 
The film, which was directed by Ron Howard and premiered in Florence on Oct. 8, will be released in Turkey on Oct. 14. 

U.S. writer Dan Brown released "Inferno" in 2013. 

Yerebatan Cistern doubling as film set for directors

Istanbul's Yerebatan Cistern, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, is drawing interest from national and international filmmakers, as well as tourists Constructed over 1,400 years ago, Istanbul's Yerebatan Cistern has in time become one of the city's most famous tourist sites, drawing millions of visitors every year to its splendid columns and mystical Medusa sculptures.

Another Byzantine structure rescued in Istanbul

The traces of a large cistern have been found during the construction of a hotel on land owned by the Armenian Catholic Mıhitaryan Monastery and School Foundation in Istanbul’s Şişli Halaskargazi neighborhood.

The historical structure, which was about to be buried by construction vehicles, was rescued at the last minute after being noticed by an observer.