The cistern provided water for the Grand Palace of Constantinople and other buildings on the Capitol, and continued to supply water to the Topkapi Palace after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and in modern times. The gardens of the palace were watered with the water of Yerebatan until a proper system was built. The Ottomans preferred running water than water stored for what was left to use towards the end of the fourteenth century.
Tradition says that the blocks are oriented sideways and upside down in order to cancel the powers of the look of the gorgon that leaves petrified those who dare to look at it.
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Beautiful view of the cistern.
basilica cisterna
HISTORY
