(day 6) Binbirdirek Cistern

After the cafe, I felt ready to walk again. Made my way to some other "points of interest" markers on my google maps.

This is Binbirdirek Cistern! The lesser-known sistern (eat my puns) to Basilica Cistern. It is the second largest cistern, after Basilica.

Historically, there's not a whole lot to say about it. When Constantine moved his capital city to Constantinople, some senators were forced to move along with him. One of them, Philoxenos, built his palace near the Forum of Constantine (where the Cemberlitas column, in the next entry, is) and the Hippodrome. The water was supplied from this cistern.

I don't think anyone really comes here, the guard looked bored as heck, and I was the only one in the place.

There was a sign saying no photos, but fuck the police! This is what you get for not posting guards.

It certainly wasn't as cool or atmospheric as Basilica Cistern, but for only 10TL ($3.50) it wasn't a bad deal. I just like these underground chambers I guess.

Binbirdirek Cistern literally means "cistern of 1001 columns", even though this cistern only has 224. But "binbir", 1001, is an idiomatic phrase that just means "a lot of", so this place is very descriptively named "cistern of a lot of columns". You know. To distinguish it from the other cisterns with a lot of columns.

I recently learned that there is a panorama mode on my phone camera!! I use it a lot!! I hope you enjoy blurry panoramas!!

The cistern is still used as a venue for some events.

This is a very modern looking bar in a very old looking cistern. Weird.