The Basilica Cistern is a gigantic underground cistern built in ancient Constantinople, the old Byzantine Empire's capital. It is one of the most spectacular landmark still visible today in Istanbul. It is located west of St. Sophia, between the Mesa in the south and the Theotokos Church of Chalkoprateia. The cistern was built by Emperor Justinian in the basement of a large porticoed building, the Basilikè, after the latter's fire during the Nika sedition in 532 ...
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