# 6 Basilica Cistern

Yes. I did get a little behind. What can I say, I've been an organizing and sorting fool the last few days!

In any case, now I'm back on track. Here it is, number six.

The awe-inspiring, beautiful and a little bit spooky Basilica Cistern!

The Basilica Cistern is located just below the Old City, in the Sultanahmet area. 

It is a huge and cavernous, and just seems to go on and on. 

Imagine it once filled completely with water.

It was laid out in 532 by the Emperor Justinian, to accommodate the growing needs of the area.

It is held up by 336 columns, each over 26ft high.

The conquering Ottomans did not even know of it's existence for more than a century, and it is said that it was only rediscovered when people started to question why they could draw water, and even fish from holes in their floors above it! Go figure, huh?

In any case, it is such a unique place. And incredibly beautiful. They have it all lit up and it is fantastic! Most of the water is now drained, but there remains enough in the bottom for numerous creepy giant goldfish types that swim around. 

It is also INCREDIBLY hard to get many decent photos down here, 

so half of these are credit of my friend Kesli and her sister Jenny when they came to visit. 

(She has a great camera, and knows how to use it. bonus!) 

I made sure to get them from their memory card before they left.

Who wouldn't want to follow a sign like that?!

Many of the columns seem to be "pieced" together, a tribute I guess

 to their great ability to pillage and plunder. 

There are two that are made with Medusa heads. One is upside down, and one is on it's side. 

There are endless speculations as to why they were placed that way, 

but I'm just glad she won't be turning any of us into stone anytime soon 

(as she might if they were right side up?)

Porter is my little poser lately, 

and Miles was a little bit sick of the whole adventure I guess at that point!

This last picture, is a reflection of the columns in the water. 

If you look closely, you can see the marble floor lining the bottom. 

The whole thing was a major feat of engineering at the time, 

and it is even more amazing to me that it is still in the condition it is in! 

Truly an incredible and unique piece of history, and well worth the trip any time! 

We have probably taken more of our guests here than any other place, because it just so unique, and a little bit off of the "super touristy" radar, so the crowds are not quite* as bad.