Zeyrek Sarnıcı, Byzantine water cistern in Zeyrek, Istanbul, Turkey.
Zeyrek Cistern is a Byzantine underground water chamber with a spacious interior supported by numerous stone columns. The roof structure is flat, and sections of the outer walls remain visible above ground level.
Emperor John II Komnenos ordered construction of this water storage facility between 1118 and 1143 as part of the Pantokrator Monastery. It served as a crucial water supply infrastructure for Byzantine Constantinople.
The structure demonstrates how Byzantines engineered water systems for the city. Walking through it, you can observe the stone columns and thick walls that reveal their practical approach to water storage.
The cistern is currently undergoing restoration but remains open to visitors at no charge, located near Ataturk Boulevard. You will encounter stairs and uneven ground, so wearing comfortable footwear is advisable for exploring both underground and above-ground sections.
This cistern ranks among the largest underground water storage facilities in the city and rises above ground on three sides. The partially exposed construction sets it apart from typical buried cisterns and makes it distinctly visible in the urban landscape.
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