Basilica Cistern

The Basilica Cistern, in Alemdar, Turkey, is a surprising underground location. It is a former Byzantine-era water reservoir, consisting of 336 columns, spanning a huge area. Open to the public, it has become quite famous amongst travelers and photographers, as the lower-level light effects create beautiful silhouettes in the shallow water. This odd space can be explored for hours, and with the audio tour and interactive maps, it’s easy to have an enriching experience of this historic landmark. An interesting fact about this place is that it was used to produce the music video for Lemon, by the successful band U2. A memorable visit and lovely photographs await here for those who venture below the ground.