Cistern of Aspar, Ancient Roman water reservoir in Fatih, Turkey.
The Cistern of Aspar is an underground water reservoir with rows of stone columns supporting a large vaulted ceiling throughout the interior. The structure extends beneath the surface with walls and foundations built from stone and brick.
This cistern was built in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian I to supply water to the city. It first served the Great Palace and later the Topkapi Palace.
The two Medusa head column bases show how Romans reused artworks from earlier periods in their constructions. You can see this practice of recycling decorative elements throughout the space.
Visitors descend stairs to reach the underground chamber, where it remains cool and damp throughout the year. Wear appropriate footwear as the stone surfaces can be slippery.
Local residents drew water from this cistern until 1565, centuries after the palaces it served had fallen out of use. A French explorer documented it in writing around that time, making it known to the wider world.
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