Kültür AŞ, one of the subsidiaries of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), is organizing a special campaign to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. Local visitors will be able to visit the Basilica Cistern, Şerefiye Cistern, Miniatürk and Panorama 1453 History Museum free of charge until 11 a.m. in the morning for 100 days.
The Basilica Cistern, one of the magnificent ancient structures in Istanbul, is located southwest of Hagia Sofia. Constructed for the Byzantium Emperor Justinianus I (527-565), this big underground water reservoir was opened to the public in 1987 by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
The cistern is 140 meters long and 70 meters wide and covers a rectangular area as a giant building. Accessible with its 52-step staircase, the cistern shelters 336 columns, each of which is 9-meter-high.
Two heads of Medusa, a female monster of the underworld in Greek Mythology, are used as bases for two columns on the left side of the cistern. Dating back to the early fourth century, it is still unknown from where they were removed and brought from.
On the other hand, another free museum, Şerefiye Cistern, in the former Eminönü Municipality, was built at the time of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II between 428 A.D. and 443 A.D. and was restored by the Istanbul Municipality.
Miniaturk is among the most visited museums in Istanbul whereas Panırama 1453 depicts the story of Istanbul.
