Native name: - Binbirdirek Sarayı
Binbirdirek Cistern is located in the upper street on the west of the Hippodrome, across the Court House. It is the second largest cistern in Istanbul after Basilica cistern. The cistern was one of several hundred ancient cisterns that were built beneath the city of Constantinople during the Byzantine empire to store water to be able to withstand long sieges. This cistern was built in the 4th century by Philoxenus, one of the senators who came to the city when the capital of Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople, Istanbul today. The area of the cistern measures 64m x 56m meters with a cross vaulted ceiling that is supported by 224 columns with arches. Many columns have letters engraved on their body which belong to the workers who participated in th...
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