The Basilica Cistern, or Cisterna Basilica is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), Turkey. The cistern, located on the historical peninsula of Sarayburnu, built between the 3rd and 4th centuries during the Early Roman Age as a commercial, legal and artistic centre.[1] The basilica was reconstructed by Illus after a fire in 476. Today it is kept with little water, for public access inside the space.
According to ancient historians, Emperor Constantine built a structure that was later rebuilt and enlarged by Emperor Justinian after the Nika riots of 532, which devastated the city.
Historical texts claim that 7,000 slaves were involved in the construction of the cistern
The enlarged cistern provided a water filtration system for the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings on the First Hill, and continued to provide water to the Topkapı Palace after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and into modern times.
Legend of the Underground: Medusa
According to one legend, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Medusa, the snake-headed of these three sisters, has the power to turn his ministers to stone. According to one view, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to preserve large structures and special places at that time, and this is why the head of the Carnica Medusa was placed.
Medusa column bases Located in the northwest corner of the cistern, the bases of two columns reuse blocks carved with the visage of Medusa. The origin of the two heads is unknown, though it is thought that the heads were brought to the cistern after being removed from a building of the late Roman period. There is no written evidence that suggests they were used as column pedestals previously. Tradition has it that the blocks are oriented sideways and inverted in order to negate the power of the Gorgons’ gaze;[citation needed] however, it is widely thought that one was placed sideways only to be the proper size to support the column. The upside-down Medusa was placed that way specifically because she would be the same height right side up.
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