Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Tour and Skip The Line with Guide
Are you planning a trip to Istanbul and want to explore its rich history and architecture? If yes, then the Basilica Cistern Tour is a must-visit attraction on your list. This underground water reservoir used to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings around the city. The historical significance of the Basilica Cistern cannot be overstated, and this tour gives you an opportunity to explore the cistern’s beauty with the help of a guide.
Experience
The tour of the Basilica Cistern is a guided tour wherein participants are provided with skip-the-line access so that they don’t have to wait in the long queue to enter. The tour is available in English with live tour guides who provide insightful commentary about the history, architecture, and engineering facts of the Basilica Cistern. You will also get to explore all the corners of the cistern at your own pace after your guided tour.
Highlights
The Basilica Cistern is a stunning underground structure that boasts 336 columns and has a capacity of around 100,000 tons of water. The cistern was built in the 6th century during the Byzantine Empire and has since served a variety of purposes throughout its history. Some of the highlights of this tour include:
- Skip the line and avoid the long queue outside the Basilica Cistern with the help of professional guides.
- Explore the stunning architecture and history of the Basilica Cistern with professional commentary from your guide.
- Learn about the engineering facts and other interesting details about the cistern.
- Visit the famous Medusa Heads, which are two ancient Greek sculptures that are displayed in a corner of the cistern, upside down and sideways.
- Enjoy the opportunity to explore the cistern at your own pace after the guided tour.
Full Description
The Basilica Cistern is a historical landmark, and this tour gives you an opportunity to delve into its rich history with the help of a professional guide. The cistern is located in Istanbul’s historical district, near the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace. The underground structure has been used throughout history to supply water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and the other buildings around the city.
Your guide will provide you with skip-the-line access, helping you avoid the long queue that normally surrounds the Basilica Cistern. They will also lead you through the cistern, providing insightful commentary about the architecture, engineering facts, and history of the cistern throughout the tour. You will get to explore all the corners of the cistern at your own pace after the guided tour.
During the tour, you will marvel at the stunning architecture of the Basilica Cistern, which features 336 columns arranged in 12 rows. The columns are believed to have been re-used from other ancient Roman and Greek structures. Your guide will also give you the opportunity to see the famous Medusa Heads, which are two ancient Greek sculptures displayed in a corner of the cistern, upside down and sideways.
This tour is available in English with live tour guides who provide insightful commentary about the history, architecture, and engineering facts of the Basilica Cistern. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the guide as you explore the cistern’s beauty.
Includes
The tour includes admission to the Basilica Cistern for the day of the tour.
- Basilica Cistern entry ticket
Who You’ll Be With
You will be with professional tour guides who provide live commentary in English throughout the tour.
- Live tour guide
Transport
Please note that transportation is not included in this tour.
Food & Drink
Please note that food and drink are not included in this tour.
How to Plan Your Tour and Book the Tour
To make the most out of your Istanbul trip, we recommend booking your Basilica Cistern Tour and Skip The Line with Guide in advance. You can book the tour online in a matter of minutes, using the following link:
Once you have booked the tour, you will receive confirmation of your reservation by email. We recommend bringing a printed or digital copy of the confirmation email with you on the day of the tour.
In conclusion, the Basilica Cistern Tour is an excellent way to explore Istanbul’s rich history, architecture and engineering facts. By taking advantage of the skip-the-line access and the professional commentary provided by the guide, you can enjoy a memorable experience at the Basilica Cistern. Book your Basilica Cistern Tour and Skip The Line with Guide today and discover the beauty, history and mystery of this underground water reservoir.
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