Basilica Cistern

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Basilica Cistern

Greek: Βασιλική Κινστέρνα Turkish: Yerebatan Sarnıcı
Basilica Cistern
Shown within Istanbul Fatih Show map of Istanbul Fatih Basilica Cistern (Turkey) Show map of Turkey
Location	Istanbul
Coordinates	41°0′29″N 28°58′40″E / 41.00806°N 28.97778°E / 41.00806; 28.97778
Site notes
Public access	Yes
Website	www.yerebatan.com

The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica (Greek: Βασιλική Κινστέρνα, Turkish: Yerebatan Sarnıcı or Yerebatan Sarayı, "Subterranean Cistern" or "Subterranean Palace"), is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul, Turkey. The cistern, located 150 metres (490 ft) southwest of the Hagia Sophia on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, was built in the 6th century during the reign of Byzantine emperor Justinian I.^[1] Today it is kept with little water, for public access inside the space.