The Feodosiya cistern or the Sherefiye cistern (Şerefiye Sarnıcı) is one of the historical closed underground cisterns in Istanbul, which is one of the oldest underground reservoirs of the former Constantinople (now the city of Istanbul).
This is one of the largest and most significant historical cistern of the city. Whereas the most famous of the cisterns is the Basilica cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı). Another significant tank is the Filoxene tank or Binbirdirek tank (Binbirdirek Sarnıcı). Learn more about the cisterns and dungeons of Istanbul with photos, addresses and websites...
Today, the Feodosiya cistern has been restored and functions as a museum, where visitors are shown a music and light show (projection mapping system).
The Theodosius Cistern is located in the old part of the European side of Istanbul on the historical peninsula (historical center) Fatih (Fatih), under a modern structure through which you can descend into the cistern.
It is assumed that the Sherefie cistern was built in 428-443, during the reign of Theodosius II (408-450). It was used to store drinking water in case of drought or siege of the city. The water was delivered from the aqueduct of Valens.
It is known that the closed cisterns, including the cisterns of the Sherefie and the Basilica, mainly supplied water to the Grand Palace, the Nympheum and the Zeuxippe baths.
The tank of Theodosius has the shape of a rectangle measuring approximately 45 × 25 meters and a ceiling height of 11 meters. It has 45 sail arches supported by 32 monolithic marble columns, girded with iron brackets and reaching a height of 9 meters. The columns in the upper frequent are decorated with capitals in the form of acanthus leaves (bear's claw). The interior walls of the tank structure were covered with water-resistant plaster, and the corners were curved to withstand water pressure. The thickness of the walls of the tank is about 2.5 meters.
The tank is equipped with decking for the movement of visitors.
During a visit to the cistern, guests can, according to sessions, enjoy a 10-minute show with three-dimensional effects and music, which consists of five main parts.
In the building above the cistern there is also a cafe with outdoor tables and small excavation sites.
Practical information
The Theodosius Cistern is located in the historical center of Istanbul, the entrance is from Piyer Loti Caddesi Street No. 2/1.
Coordinates of the Feodosiya cistern: 41°00'26.0"N 28°58'20.0"E (41.007222, 28.972222).
Entrance to the tank is paid. The ticket office is located at the entrance.
Photo and video shooting in the tank is allowed.
The opening hours of the tank, the time of the show, the cost of tickets and the conditions of the visit are recommended to check on the official website of the tank of Feodosia: serefiyesarnici.istanbul.
All accommodation facilities in Istanbul, including in the historical center, on the European and Asian sides of the city, can be viewed and booked here
