Cistern of Philoxenos, Ancient Roman cistern in Istanbul, Turkey
The Cistern of Philoxenos extends across 3584 square meters with 224 marble columns arranged in 16 rows beneath the streets of Istanbul.
Built during the reign of Constantine I in the 4th century by Roman senator Philoxenos, this underground water reservoir served as a vital part of Byzantine infrastructure.
Stone mason marks in Greek letters preserved on the column shafts provide evidence of the construction workers who built this massive water storage facility.
The cistern opens for visitors Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 17:00, offering space for events with a capacity of 1500 seated guests.
Each of the thick-walled columns consists of two separate sections joined together, topped with undecorated truncated pyramid capitals.
Location: Fatih
Architectural style: Byzantine architecture
Opening Hours: 24/7
GPS coordinates: 41.00720,28.97407
Latest update: May 10, 2025 16:28
Sultan Ahmed Mosque
321 m
Serpent Column
192 m
Obelisk of Theodosius
180 m
Column of Constantine
294 m
Mausoleum of Mahmud II
196 m
The Stone of Million
345 m
Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum
120 m
Haseki Hürrem Sultan Hamamı
173 m
German Fountain
215 m
Ibrahim Pasha Palace
108 m
Forum of Constantine
327 m
Sokollu Mehmed Pasha I Mosque
329 m
Walled Obelisk
212 m
Theodosius Cistern
124 m
Church of the Virgin of the Pharos
305 m
Gazi Atik Ali Pasha Mosque
341 m
Cağaloğlu Hamam
400 m
Firuz Ağa Mosque
195 m
TGC Press Media Museum
217 m
Köprülü Library
167 m
Cezeri Kasım Pasha Mosque
320 m
Mehmet Ağa Çeşmesi (Eminsinan)
355 m
Divanyolu Fountain
133 m
Hagia Sophia History and Experience Museum
137 m
Tevfik Bey Çeşmesi
356 m
Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Mosque
230 m
Ibrahim Pasha Palace
136 m
Organization of Turkic States Headquarter
145 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes