Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
ID: GYG192903-299166
Category:
Country: Turkey
Duration:
30 min.
Description
On this 30-minute tour, visit the 4th-century Basilica Cistern and discover the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
Visit the Basilica Cistern, built in the 4th century and enlarged in 532 AD, used as water storage during Byzantine times. Listen to your guide as they explain the mystery of Medusa heads from Greek mythology.
Explore this cathedral-size cistern, built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in 532 A.D. to supply water to the Great Palace. It stores up to 80,000 cubic meters of water, delivered via 20 kilometers of aqueducts from a reservoir near the Black Sea.
Descend the fifty-two stone steps into the entrance of the cistern. The cistern is surrounded by a firebrick wall with a thickness of 4 meters, coated with a waterproofing mortar. Hear how the Basilica Cistern's water comes from the Eğrikapı Water Distribution Center in the Belgrade Forest and travels through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Mağlova Aqueduct, built by the Emperor Justinian.
Highlights
- Visit the Basilica Cistern with your experienced guide
- Listen to the story of Medusa Heads
- Recognize a scene in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Please note: this attraction cannot be visited without the guide
• All children will be asked to present their valid passport at the entrance of the museums in order to validate their age
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
You are required to bring and wear a mask
You will receive a mandatory temperature check
Meet at the Sultanahmet BusForUs stop in front of the Hagia Sophia. Look out for the red double-decker buses.
The guide will have a flag with the Istanbul Tourist Pass logo on it. All children will be asked to present their valid passports at the entrance of the museums as proof of age.
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
