Turkey: Istanbul: What to See & Do: Sights: Yerebatan Sarnici

Yerebatan Sarnici

Underneath Istanbul are seven ancient reservoirs and numerous natural springs that supplied the citizens with water. One of the most famous and easily most dramatic is the Yerebatan Sarnici, or Basilica Cistern. A narrow stone staircase leads to an eerily lit space the size of an enormous cathedral filled with water, giant ghostly fish and a forest of 336 columns. If it looks familiar that’s because James Bond rowed across it in From Russia with Love.