There are many cisterns in Istanbul but this is the biggest ever found. Yerebatan Sarayi, or Sunken Palace, the cathedral-sized Cistern runs beneath the entire street and some buildings. This is an underground chamber of 138 x 64.6 metres. The large space is formed by supporting a ceiling vault and arch system by a forest of 336 marble columns. The ceiling vaults, known as Manastır Tonozu (cloister vault), are built without using a mould. From whatever angle you view, the perspective view of the columns and ceiling arches give you a very strong geometrical feel . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .
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This is more intriguing than your last photo. Wonderful. The light is magical here.
I must admit the first one is a bit dull and not brigth enough as it is scanned from my previous photo!
I had visited the same site last year and my friend also took a very nice pix like yours. It is posted on my other blog linkphotography.
This is surely a site not to be missed. Thank you!
Fascinating structure. I took a number of photos here on my trip to Istanbul.
yes, this is a location favoured by my photographers.
this is splendid !
Thank you leemajors!
It’s my pleasure Michael
I’ve seen similar structures beneath the ground in Cairo. Apparently recycling is not a new phenomenon.
Hope to see more recycling all over the world!
It is nostalgic. I drank coffee here.
Glad that it brings back fond memories!
This could’ve been a spooky entry too…
Yes, could well be. . . . thank you!
Wonderful photograph of a stunning piece of Roman engineering
Thank you The Wanderlust Gene for the kind comment!
Beautiful shot!
Thank you!
What a gorgeous photo! I lived in Istanbul in 1992 and this was my favourite place in the whole city.
I sometimes used to go down there just to get away from the noise and smells and hassle above ground, so I could contemplate and think peacefully, all alone. I loved the dripping water sound and the wonderful play of light and shadows that you’ve captured so beautifully in this picture.
Did you discover the sarnic restaurant while you were in Istanbul?
http://www.sarnicrestaurant.com/en/index.jsp
It is is another very large cistern. It doesn’t, of course, have the same atmosphere that I loved in Yerebatan, but it is a very nice restaurant and, in my opinion, not to be missed by visitors to Istanbul!
Yes, the place seems to be able to cut you off from the busy world at ground level. I love the atmosphere there.
I didn’t know the Samic restaurant, otherwise would have dropped by to enjoy. Thanks for providing the information. Your posts on Sicily are very interseting, I am tempted to pay it a visit someday.Regards, Michael
What an impressive place… and you’re right, it does look quite Cathedral-like!
It is like a cathedral underground. In fact, this site was occupied by a Bascilica built by the Roman in the 3rd-4th centuries.
I was there in the summer of 2011 – beautiful spot but very challenging to get a good photo, let alone a great one. Congrats.
Hi Rita, thanks for the kind coment. This place is magical! Michael
Wow – a little spooky, but beautiful as well!
Thank you The Retiring Sort!
Wow, this is a stunning photo! You are such a talented photographer.
Hi Nancy, I am really flattered. Thanks for the encouragement! Michael
You’ve captured this perfectly! It’s beautifully creepy! Who lives here? lol
Water Cube is now turned into a water fun park.; presumably nobody lives there. Regards, Michael
I think I was referring to the sunken palace =>
Sorry, A Gracious Life, I was mistaken as I have to deal with 10-20 comments per day (although this is no excuse!). Nobody lives in the sunken palace, but there is sort of cafe down there. Regards, Michael
That’s… so haunting, hypnotizing as a photo! I love it!
Thank you evilnypmphstuff!