One of Istanbul's magnificent historical constructions is the Basilica Cistern located on the south-west of Hagia Sophia. Built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I. Justinian (527-565), this large underground cistern was named as the "Yerebatan Palace" among the public due to the marble columns rising from the water and seen as countless. When there is a Basilica in the place where the cistern is located, it is also known as the Basilica Cistern.

The cistern is a gigantic structure that covers a rectangular area of ​​140 meters in length and 70 meters in width. Covering a total area of ​​9.800 m2, this cistern has a water storage capacity of approximately 100.000 tons. There are 336 columns each of which is 9 meters high inside this cistern which is laid with a 52 step stone ladder. These columns, erected at intervals of 4.80 meters, bring 12 rows of columns, each containing 28 columns. It is understood that the majority of the columns are collected from the older structures, and a large part of the columns are marbled from various types of marble, consisting of one part and two parts. The titles of these columns, in places, have different properties. While 98 of them reflect Corint style, part of them reflect Dor style. The majority of the columns in the cistern, except for a few which are angular or grooved, are cylindrical. 8 columns in front of the northeastern wall towards the center of the cistern were exposed to the risk of fracture during a construction in 1955-1960, each of which was frozen in a thick layer of concrete and thus lost its former properties. The roof space of the cistern was transferred to the columns by means of arches. The brick-lined 4.80 m thick walls and brick paved floors were plastered with a thick layer of Khorasan, making them water-impermeable.

The Basilica Cistern, which occupied a large area in the Byzantine period and occupied the emperors' residence, meets the water requirement of the large palace and the other inhabitants of the region. The Basilica Cistern was used by the Ottomans for a while after the Ottoman conquest in 1453 and the gardens of the Topkapi Palace where the sultans sat.

It is understood that the Ottomans, who preferred the water in the place where the Islamic bases flowed instead of stagnant water for cleaning purposes, did not use it after building their own water facilities in the city. Until the middle of the 16th century it was noticed by the westerners until finally they came to Istanbul to investigate Byzantine remains in 1544-1550 It was rediscovered by the Dutch traveler P. Gyllius and introduced to the western world. P. Gyllius, in one of his investigations, traveled around the Hagia Sophia, where he learned from the large well-like large holes in the ground floors of the houses that his household members dug down and even held fish. A large underground cistern entered the cistern through a walled enclosed courtyard of a wooden building, a stone in the hands of a stepped stone stepping down into the ground. P. Gyllius, in very difficult conditions, walked around in the crotch chairs and picked up the measuring pads. Gyllius, whom he saw and traveled on his travels, influenced many travelers.

The cistern has passed through various repairs since its foundation. The first repair of the cistern, which was repaired twice in the Ottoman Empire period, was built by architect Kayseri Mehmet Aga at the time of Ahmet III (1723). The second reparation was made during the reign of Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909). In the Republican Period, the cistern was opened in 1987 by being cleared by the Municipality of Istanbul and by making a trip platform. In May of 1994, again a large cleaning and maintenance passed.

Medusa Head

Two Medusa Heads, used as pedestals under two columns on the northwest corner of the cistern, are the masterpieces of the Roman sculpture art. It is not known which structures the Medusa heads were brought to and brought here, attracting the most attention of the people visiting the cistern. Researchers often think that cranes are being brought into use only as a column shade during construction. Despite this view, some legends about the Medusa Head have been formed.

According to one legend, Medusa is one of three Gorgona, the female monster of the underworld in Greek mythology. Medusa, the snaked head of these three sisters, has the power to turn his ministers into stones. According to one opinion, Gorgona paintings and sculptures were used to protect the great buildings and private places at that time, and the placement of the head of Sarnica Medusa was also a factor.

According to another custom, Medusa was a girl who boasted with black eyes, long hair and beautiful body. Medusa loved Zeus' son, Perseus. In the meantime, Athena liked Perseus and envied Medusa. So Athena turned Medusa's hair into a snake. Everyone Medusa looked at was now turning into a stone. Later, Perseus cut off Medusa's head and took advantage of this power to defeat many enemies.

Based on this, the Medusa Head was placed in swords in the Byzantine sword and placed opposite the column bases (for ministers to cut the stone). According to a custom, Medusa looked to the side and turned herself to stone. Therefore, the sculptor who made this sculpture made Medusa in three different places according to the reflection of the light.

This mysterious place, which is an integral part of the Istanbul excursion program, has so far been made up of former US President Bill Clinton to Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok, former Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini, former ex-Prime Minister Görans Persson and former Austrian Prime Minister Thomas Klestil so many people visited.

At present, one of the subsidiaries of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Kültür A.Ş. Yerebatan Cistern, which is run by the Museum, is home to many national and international events as well as being a museum.

Süleymaniye Mosque was built by Mimar Sinan in Suleymaniye region of Istanbul Eminönü Sectinin on the request of Sultan Suleiman of Kaununi between 1551-1558.

Mimar Sinan's 85-year-old artifact is known as a monumental work.

Around the Suleymaniye Mosque is a library, a hammam, a madrasah, imaret, dükkanlar and hazir. Along with the Süleymaniye Mosque, each one is part of the Suleymaniye mosque.

Architectural Properties of Süleymaniye Mosque

Süleymaniye Mosque is one of the most important works and examples of the Ottoman period architecture. Despite the fact that there have been hundreds of earthquakes in Istanbul for centuries, there is not a single crack on the Süleymaniye Mosque. The dome is 53m. It is 27.5m in diameter. This large dome was reinforced with a half-dome as it was in Hagia Sophia.

There are minarets at the four corners of the courtyard of the mosque. The dimensions of minarets are different from each other. The two minarets in the northern part of the courtyard are honored and 56 m. These two minarets are located at the corner of the entrance gate wall of the last congregation. The other two minarets were built as a side window. The three are honorable and have a height of 76 meters. 32 windows have been opened in the main dome of the glass to provide the best illumination according to the calculations of Mimar Sinan.

On the part of Mimar Sinan, which is thought of due to his architectural talent and intelligence, he calculates the air flow to collect the heat from the oil lamps in the mosque and collects it on a window on the main entrance door of Camin. These works were used in making ink for the Tezininate Processes surrounding the glass.

Around the courtyard of the mosque is a total of 28 porticoes. It is built on a rectangular scheme and in the middle of the courtyard there is a fountain of the glass. Süleyman the Magnificent and his wife Hürrem Sultan are present in a treasure.

There are some buildings, even if you look from the outside tell something. One of them is Çırağan, the legendary palace of the Ottoman Empire. This palace, which is the first eye pain of the Ottoman sultans who admire the European life among the Ottoman palaces, has a magnificent and sad story. The real name comes from the "çarağan" which means "lamp, light" in Persian. Although the Ottoman Empire witnessed the last period, the story actually dates back to the 17th century.

In the second half of the 16th century, there was a wooden chapel of Ottoman Captain Kılıç Ali Pasha at the place of today's Çırağan Palace. In the 17th century, flower gardens were established in this region and it is mentioned as "Kazancıoğlu Bahçeleri". Ibrahim Pasha, the grand vizier of the Tulip Revolution, Ahmed's brother, Fatma Sultan's wife, is made of wood. III. The most resplendent entertainments of Ahmed also take place in this palace which has spectacular gardens and scenery. Particularly at night, the lights and lamps illuminated by the lamps, and the adornments with flowers, make this place called "Çarağan".

II. In 1835, Mahmud destroyed the buildings beside the plain. Instead, the famous architects of the time, Garabet Balyan'a reflect the innovation and change, a synthesis of Western and Ottoman architecture is made of a magnificent palace. The life of this work ends with Sultan Abdulmecid's official residence in 1855, which he considers the Dolmabahçe Palace. In 1857 Sultan Abdülmecid destroyed the Old Cirali Palace and replaced it with a new palace building in Western style, but died without seeing its completion. Sultan Abdülaziz passes instead, the building of the palace changes completely. The new palace inspired by Eastern architecture and suitable for North African Islamic architecture is completed in 1871.

Gates under the Som

Each accessory of this palace, which is a gleaming, dazzling beauty, is specially constructed. In fact, the German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm tells him that he likes palace gates made of solid gold from a journey, and some of the gates are presented to him. Today it is also mentioned that these doors are exhibited in the Berlin Museum.

Sultan Abdul Aziz does not stay in Çirağ for too long. In 1876 it is reduced from the throne to V. Murad. V. Murad is a sultan who is educated in the Western style and has a musical talent. He plays the piano and composes in the style of both Western and Ottoman music. V. Murad, alleged to have lost his mental balance, is reduced from the throne and almost lives in prison until 1904 in the harem section of Çırağan, now known as Beşiktaş High School.

Becomes Big Ashes

II. With Abdulhamit's throne, the Çırağan Palace, like the Ottoman Empire, begins to lose its former glory. Even though the old moving and glorious days are left behind, the Çırağan Palace has become a place where the Sultan has spent the last days of the sultans who were removed from the saltan penthouses.

In 1909, it started to be used as a parliament building. However, on January 19, 1910, only the outer walls remained behind the burning sarcophagus within five hours of the fire that started with the roof of the flames coming out of the radiator pit. During the fire, the invaluable antiques in the palace, oil paintings and many valuable books and documents become ashes. So the silence that will last for years begins at the Çırağan Palace.

Saraydan 5 Star Hotele

The building was used by a French shepherd during the siege of Istanbul under the name "Bizo Kışlası". In the 1930s, the beautiful garden became the football pitch of Besiktas Club. Several attempts are made at different times to make the Çırağan Palace available again, but none will succeed.

When it comes to 1986, the adventure of transforming the Çırağan Palace into a 5-star hotel begins. The only 5-star hotel on the Bosphorus, built in 1990, in the name of "Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul", right next to the old palace and in accordance with its architecture, opens. After two years of restoration work, the old palace department reopens its doors.

Of course there is a longer story than the one we talked about here. Throughout his history, he married columns, porticos and his haughty stance, saying "I am different" every time from the Bosphorus. Today, the Çırağan Palace, which leaves behind its sad stories, embraces its guests with all its glory.

Unknowns About Çırağan Palace

• The Çırağan Palace, which is composed of only the hotel and the palace today, houses a palace complex that was about 2 km long. It is a complex between Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, with haremi, selamlığı, outbuildings, separate sections for its employees and employees.

• Construction of the new palace built on 20 January 1863 will be completed in 9 years. Treasure-i Hassa for the palace is 2 and a half million pounds spent. Columns used in the palace are brought from North Africa.

• Today some of the lion sculptures in Dolmabahçe Palace actually belonged to Çırağan Palace. In 1855, the Sultan Abdülmecid lions who passed through Dolmabahçe Palace took him to Dolmabahçe Palace.

• Munevver Ayaşlı from the last Ottoman women, in the Dersaadet book, the cause of the sad events in the history of Çırağan Palace, Sultan II. Besiktas Mevlevi Dervish lodge near to the palace complex and Mahmud's palace building is connected to the palace complex and the sultan's tombs are taken to the custody of the court: "The palace, which has destroyed the Mevlevi dervish lodge and conquered the tombs of the saints, , and finally, the huge building caught up, and the graves at the bottom were brought to the fresh air and daylight. "

• Sultan Abdülaziz lives as an exile in the Feriye (second) part of Çırağan after he has been put to death and dies here. Though it was decided that Abdulaziz died on May 30, 1876, he had succumbed to the abdication of Abdulaziz, but common blood had been killed.