Basilica Cistern Museum

Info Telefon: +90(212)5121570
Besucher-Email: info@yerebatan.com
http://yerebatansarnici.com/...

Municipality of Istanbul

One of the magnificent ancient buildings of İstanbul is the Basilica Cistern located in the southwest of Hagia Sofia. The cistern is a giant structure covering 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 storage capacity of approximately 100.000 tons of water.

Constructed for Justinianus I, the Byzantium Emperor (527-565), this big underground water reservoir is called as “Yerebatan Cistern” among the public because of the underground marble columns. As there used to be a basilica in the place of the cistern, it is also called Basilica Cistern.

The cistern is 140 m long, and 70 m wide, and covers a rectangular area as a giant structure. Accessible with 52-step staircase, the Cistern shelters 336 columns, each of which is 9 m high. Erected at 4.80 m intervals from one another the columns are composed of 12 rows, each has 28 columns. The case-bay of the cistern is conveyed by the columns through arches. Majority of the columns, most of which is understood to have been compiled from the ancient structures and sculpted of various kinds of marbles, is composed of a single part and one of it is composed of two parts. The head of these columns bear different features in parts. 98 of them reflect the Corinthian style and part of them reflect the Dorian style. The cistern has 4.80 m high brick walls, and the floor is covered by bricks, and plastered by a thick layer of brick dust mortar for water tightness. Covering 9,800 sqm area in total, the cistern has an estimated water storage capacity of 100,000 tons.

Medusa Heads

Except couple of the edged and grooved columns of the cistern, majority of them are shaped as a cylinder. Two Medusa heads, which are used as supports under the two columns at the northwest edge of the cistern, are the great work of art from the Roman period. What attracts most attention from the visitors is that the structure from which the Medusa heads have been taken is unknown. The researchers often consider that it has been brought for being used as supports to the column at the time of construction of the cistern. However, this has not prevented myths for the heads of Medusa.

As the legend has it, Medusa is one of the three Gorgonas that are female monsters in the underground world in Greek mythology. The snake-head Medusa, one of the three sisters, has the power of gorgonising the ones that happen to look at her. Accordingly, Gorgone paintings and sculptures were being used for protecting big structures and special venues in that time. And putting the head of medusa in the cistern was for protecting purposes. According to another rumour, Medusa was a girl who boasted for her black eyes, long hair and beautiful body. She loved Perseus, the son of Zeus. Athena was also in love with Perseus and this made Medusa jealous. Therefore, Athena converted medusa's hairs into snakes. Now, everybody that happened to look at Medusa was gorgonised. Afterwards, Perseus headed off medusa and beat many enemies by using her power.

Therefore, the head of Medusa was engraved on the handles of the swords in Byzantium, and applied onto supports of the communes in reverse (so that the onlookers would not be gorgonised). According to another rumour, Medusa gorgonised herself by looking sideways. For this reason, the sculptor that made it generated Medusa in three different positions depending on the reflection angles of the light. The Basilica Cistern has been renovated repeatedly until today. It was repaired by the Architect Kayserili Mehmet Ağa during the reign of Ahmad III (M.1723) in the Ottoman Empire, followed by Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) in the 19th century. There are 8 columns in front of the northeast wall towards the middle of the cistern, and they were exposed to the risk of breaking during the construction works in 1955-1960, thus each of them were surrounded by a thick layer of cement, so they lost their previous feature though.

During the rule of Byzantium, the Basilica Cistern used to meet the water needs and requirements of the great palace that covered a wide area where the emperor resided, as well as the other denizens in the region. After conquest of the city of Istanbul in 1453, it was used for a little while and water was supplied to Topkapı Palace where the sultans resided.. However, the Ottomans preferred running water over still water, and established their own water facilities in the city. It is understood that the cistern was not used thereafter and the western world did not notice it until the mid XVI century. It was in 1544-1550 when P. Gyllius, a Dutch traveller that came to Istanbul for making researches on Byzantium ruins was rediscovered and introduced to the western world. In one of his researches, P. Gyllius, while roaming around Hagia Sofia, managed to enter inside the cistern with a torch carrying in his hand by proceeding from the stone steps that went towards the underground from the backyard of a wooden building surrounded by walls situated on a large underground cistern as he was told that the householders there pulled water with buckets down inside the large round holes similar to well on the ground floor of their houses, and even fished there. P. Gyllius ranged around the cistern on a rowing boat under harsh conditions, measured it and identified the columns. The information acquired from his experience was published in the travel book, and Gyllius had influence on many travelers.

The cistern was subject to repeated renovations since its establishment. Renovated twice during the reign of the Ottoman Empire, the cistern was repaired during the rule of Ahmed III (1723) by the Architect Kayserili Mehmet Ağa for the first time. And the second repair was made during the rule of Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876-1909). In republican period, the cistern was cleaned by Istanbul Municipality in 1987, and was opened to visits for creating a route. Another extensive cleaning was made in May 1994.

This mysterious venue is an integral part of the Istanbul itineraries and has been visited -among others- by the US former President Bill Clinton, Wim Kok the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Lamberto Dini, Former Minister of foreign Affairs of Italy, Göran Persson, Former Prime Minister of Sweden and Thomas Klestil, Former prime Minister of Austria until today.

Currently operated by Kültür A.Ş. (Culture Co.), one of the affiliates of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Basilica Cistern functions as a museum and is the home for many national and international events.
 

Istanbul Museum of Modern Art (Private museum)

Fax.: +90-212-243 43 19

Info Telefon: +90-212-3347388
Besucher-Email: info@instanbulmodern.org
http://www.istanbulmodern.org...

Istanbul Modern, the first pnvately owned and operated museum devoted to modern and contemporary art in Turkey, wasfoundedin 2004. Located by the Bosphorus, the straight separating Europefrom As/a, the museum brings the Istanbul cityscape together with diverse artforms such as painting, sculpture, photography, and video. With a strong permanent collection, Istanbul Modern provides a foundation in Turkish artfrom the modern era to the present. The museum also organizes numerous national and international retrospective and contemporary art exhibitions annually. With its cinema, libraryand cafe the museum offers its visitors a dynamic venue for a complete art experience.
 

Aynalıkavak Pavilion Museum

Fax.: +90(212) 259 32 92

Info Telefon: +90(212)2369000
Besucher-Email: info@millisaraylar.gov.tr
https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/pavi...

Directorate of National Palaces

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/visiting-information

Aynalıkavak Palace, located in the Golden Horn, is the fourth largest Ottoman palace in Istanbul following the palaces in Dolmabahçe, Topkapı and Üsküdar. Also known as the Tersane Palace due to the shipyard in the region, the only remaining structure from the palace today is the Aynalıkavak Pavilion. The grove in the area, believed to be the resting grounds of emperors during the Byzantine era, sprawling across the vast region between Okmeydanı, Hasköy and Kasımpaşa. The region is also known as the Royal Gardens of Shipyard due to the surrounding shipyard.

According to some sources, the construction of the buildings began during the reign of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. Another comment is that the complex gained its identity as a palace during the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent. Hafiz Hussein Ayvansarâyî’s work “Hadikatüʹl‐cevâmi” claims that Suleiman the Magnificent had many structures built in this grove, including several pavilions and ponds. New buildings were added in the following period, their number increasing from year to year.


 

Maslak Pavilions Museum

Fax.: +90(212) 259 32 92

Info Telefon: +902123461909
Besucher-Email: info@millisaraylar.gov.tr
https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/pavi...

Directorate of National Palaces

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/visiting-information

There is no clear information about the construction date of Maslak Pavilions, where Abdulhamid II (1876-1909) lived during his years as a prince, but it is known the first constructions in the region was ordered by Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839), and various additions were made to the complex in the Sultan Abdülmecid period (1861-1876). Sultan Abdülhamid II and his family were granted the pavilion in 1868, and he made further developments on the land until 1876. Transforming into a large farm during this period, the Maslak Pavilions were named Çiftlikât-ı Hümâyûn (Royal Farms) after Abdülhamid’s ascension to the throne. The name of the pavilion is based on the water distribution reservoirs used for the water supply of Istanbul at the time.


 

Beylerbeyi Palace Museum

+902163219320
Fax.: +90(212) 259 32 92

Besucher-Email: info@millisaraylar.gov.tr

Directorate of National Palaces

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/visiting-information

Built between 1863 and 1865, Beylerbeyi is a palace overlooking the vast blue of the Bosphorus. A glorious 19th-century monument that impresses with its set gardens and fascinates with its mansions, Beylerbeyi is a unique place where history and historical characters merge with the present.

Beylerbeyi Palace and its location has been home to different structures since the Byzantine Period. The region was known as the “Garden of the Cross” from the Byzantine era until the beginning of the 19th century, with the first palatial building was constructed under orders from Mahmud II. Following a fire, Sultan Abdülaziz had the building demolished and rebuilt in order to strengthen the structure. The palace acquired its present appearance, along with its additional buildings covering an area of 3000 square meters, between the years 1863 and 1965.

Today, the main structure of the Mabeyn and Harem sections is open to visitors, as well as its additional structures serving different purposes: the sea pavilions, the historical tunnel connecting Üsküdar and Beylerbeyi, Yellow Pavilion, Marble Pavilion and the Barn Stables are also noteworthy.

Beylerbeyi Palace, which shows the effects of western style on its exterior and features of the classical Ottoman palace structure inside, has been mostly used as a summer palace since its construction. The notion that Beylerbeyi is also a guest house allocated to high-level state guests, hosting Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph, French Emperor Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie, the German Emperor Wilhelm II, and Prince Nikola of Montenegro among others.

 

Küçüksu Pavilion Museum

Fax.: +90(212) 259 32 92

Info Telefon: +902163323303
Besucher-Email: info@millisaraylar.gov.tr
https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/pavi...

Directorate of National Palaces

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/visiting-information

An Elegant Pearl on the Shores of the Bosphorus
Küçüksu Pavilion was built by Nigoğos Balyan, a member of the Balyan family who have designed many of the Ottoman buildings built in the 19th century. The interior decoration and arrangements of the pavilion were made by Sechan, the decorator of the Paris Opera, who is also responsible for the interior design of the Dolmabahçe Palace. The unreinforced masonry building, which was built with the masonry technique of the era, covers an area of 15 X 27 meters and has three floors including the basement. The basement, which was used as a cellar and kitchen, was reserved for the servants, and the other floors allocated for the use of the monarch and the guests were arranged in four rooms opening to a hall in the middle. The interior of the pavilion has a stunning appearance with its embossed plastered ceilings decorated by pen work, skillfully laid parquet floors, western-style furniture, works of art decorating the walls, and fireplaces of precious Italian marbles. Some parts of the Küçüksu Pavilion, which did not include bedrooms or bathrooms in the original design due to being a recreational residence, were rearranged and decorated to correct these deficiencies during the Republican Period. The sea facing side of the pavilion has a more ostentatious and rich appearance compared to the other façades, since the sultans preferred the sea route for arrival. Baroque architecture was adopted in the decorations of the small pool, the staircase and the fountain on this façade. The exterior decorations of the pavilion were re-arranged by Sultan Abdülaziz after he replaced his elder brother Sultan Abdülmecid, who found the designs too simple.


 

Beykoz Mecidiye Pavilion Museum

Fax.: +90(212) 259 32 92

Info Telefon: +902122369000
Besucher-Email: info@millisaraylar.gov.tr
https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/pavi...

Directorate of National Palaces

https://www.millisaraylar.gov.tr/en/visiting-information

Mecidiye Pavilion, also known as Beykoz Palace, is one of the oldest pavilions of Istanbul and is located in the region of Beykoz Pier. The construction of the pavilion, which was started in 1845 by the Egyptian Governor Mehmed Ali Pasha as a gift to Sultan Abdülmecid, was continued after his death in 1849 by his son, the Governor of Egypt Said Pasha,, and the building was completed in 1854.

It is known that Sultan Abdulaziz frequently visited Mecidiye Pavilion, whereas Sultan Abdulmecid did not show appreciation for it. The pavilion, which was used as a boarding pavilion in the first years of its construction, began to be used for daily accommodation and official receptions in the following periods. Historical records indicate that Sultan Abdulaziz organized wrestling games in the Beykoz meadow during his stay in Mecidiye Pavilion and went hunting in the close hunting grove in Tokatköy. On October 15, 1869, the Sultan hosted the French Empress Eugenie at the pavilion, where he watched the army's parade with his guest.


Architectural Features of Mecidiye Pavilion
The building has a symmetrical square plan and two floors. The upper floor of the building has and a mezzanine attached to the ceiling of the middle hall, enabling more light in the structure. The outer walls of the pavilion are made of stone, whereas the inner walls were built with brick, wooden carcass and stone. The colored stones used on the walls of some halls and on the exterior of the Mecidiye Pavilion distinguish it from other pavilions, mansions and palace structures.

The large rectangular hall on the ground floor of the pavilion is accessed through the marble columned porticoes at the edges. The ceiling of this hall, which has a room in each corner, is decorated with pencil work on bagdadi plaster. One of the most impressive parts of the building is the monumental sultanate stairs with double arms up to the top floor. The first floor of Mecidiye Pavilion, which consists of a series of rooms around a large hall just like the ground floor, is decorated more spectacularly than the ground floor. The ceremonial and throne hall, which is used in the receptions of the state, attracts attention with its finely furnished parquets and meticulously selected furniture. The walls of the living room are covered with marble from Egypt and the ceilings are of wood. The living room opens to two balconies, one overlooking the sea and one facing the land.

Mecidiye Pavilion, which is located on a large land of approximately seventy thousand square meters, is surrounded by a spacious grove of magnolia, pine and linden trees. One of the first masonry buildings of the Bosphorus, the mansion is an elegant example of the Serdab mansions, constructed in a new style, and named after the word Serdab, meaning cooling spaces.

Mecidiye Pavilion in the 20th and 21st Centuries
During World War I, Mecidiye Pavilion served as a girls' orphanage house (Daru'l-Eytam). During the 1920s the building was used for the treatment of patients with the eye ailment trachoma, and was granted to the Bosphorus Command shortly afterwards. The pavilion was placed under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Social Aid in 1953. After the restoration works carried out by the Ministry, the building started to be used as a convalescent home for the higher education youth. The building was restored once more and the damaged ornaments of the building was restored to its former appearance by the Academy of Fine Arts students. Beykoz Pavilion, whose parquets, marble cladding and grove were reworked during the repairs, started to serve as Beykoz Children's Chest Diseases Hospital in 1963. On December 23, 1997, the pavilion was connected to the National Palaces, with the transfer finalizing in 1999. The last restoration efforts that started in 2010 were completed in 2016, and the Mecidiye Pavilion was opened to visitors as a museum-palace in April 2017.
 

Tekirdag Museum

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Tekirdag Museum started to function in 1967 in the building which to day is occupied by the Sports Directorate. It offered its collection for display in a small exhibition hall untill 1977. The present museum building, which was used as the Governor's residence until 1976, was allocated to the Ministry of Culture by the Office of the Governor to be used for this particular purpose. It was opened to public on December 28, 1992.
Regional History, Archaeology, Ethnography.
 

Rumelihisari Museum

Fax.: 0-212-2650410

Info Telefon: 0-212-2635305

Open between 9.00-16.30 h everyday except Wednesdays.

Located within borders of Sarýyer district and gave its name to the location, covering 30.000 qm area. There is a monument-art built in the narrowest and flowing (600 m) section of the Istanbul Bosporus just opposite Anadoluhisarý. Although it is known that the region was called "Hermaion" in ancient ages, historian Dukas does not mention this and indicates the location of the castle hill side of mountain known as Fonea down "Sostenion(Ýstinye). The names of Rumelihisar are : Kulle-i Cedide in Fatih Charities; Yenice Hisar in Neþri period history; Bogazkesen Castle in Kemalpasazade, Asikpsazade and Nisancý histories. Although Dukas confused about the names and used as Kefalokoptis, no one else except him used this name.

According to two inscriptions in Büyük Zaganos Tower and Kücük Zaganos Pasha Tower, the castle was built in about four month period which is a considerably short period. The art book called "Serh-i Tecriiyd-i Ataik" in süleymaniye Library, it is said that the building had been completed in (139) days.

The timbers used in building were from Ýzmit and Black sea Eregli; the stones were from various plces of Anatolia and spolis are from destroyed Byzantine buildings located around.

In some histories it has been stated that 1000 masters, 2000 workers and many transporters were employed in building but Architect E.H. Ayverdi states that approximately 300 masters, 700-800 workers and 200 transporters, boats, vehicles etc were employed.

Mortary volume of the building covering 60.000 qm area is about 57.700 cubic meter. Mountain Gate, Dizdar Gate, Hisarpençe Gate and Sel Gate are four main gates and it also has a secondary gate called Mezarlýk Gate.

It has Saruca Pasha, Halil Pasha and Zaganos Pasha, three old and junior Zaganas Pasha, one small and totally four towers; 13 castles in various sizes.

It has two water ducts, one is blocked, three fountains two of which are lost. Only one destroyed minarette from the mosque remained until present time.

The building was considerably damaged from 1509 earthquake but repaired promptly. It is known that it was also repaired during Selim III (1789-1807). But essential repair was made by architect Mrs Cahide Tamer, Mrs. Selma Emler and Mrs. Mualla Arhegger-Eyüboglu upon directive of the President, Mr. Celal Bayar, in 1953.

Open exhibition is made in the museum, but there is no exhibition hall and store house. Artilleries, shot and the chains which was claimed be used in blocking o Halic (Golden Horn) are exhibited in the garden.