Antik Otel Cistern, Byzantine cistern in Fatih, Turkey
The Antik Otel Cistern is a Byzantine underground water reservoir located beneath the hotel complex in the Laleli district. The structure displays brick vaults supported by marble columns arranged throughout the chamber.
The cistern was built during the Byzantine period to supply drinking water to Constantinople's growing population. It formed part of a larger network of storage facilities scattered throughout the city.
The cistern reflects how Byzantines engineered water solutions to keep their city functioning, embedding practical knowledge into brick and stone.
Access to this reservoir is through the Antik Hotel Istanbul, where visitors can view it during regular hotel hours. The location sits in a busy neighborhood, making it straightforward to reach on foot.
This ancient reservoir sits directly beneath modern hotel rooms, creating an unusual blend where guests rest above centuries-old water engineering. Few places in Istanbul allow visitors to stay so literally on top of Byzantine infrastructure.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
