Ten Things to Know When Visiting Istanbul’s Dazzling, Newly Renovated Basilica Cistern

This was my third time in Istanbul, but my first opportunity to see the Cisterns. I’d passed the previous times because, well, I was never too enthused about traipsing through some ancient Byzantine plumbing. How interesting could that possibly be? Plus, I’d heard the lines were long, the air stale and the visibility poor. Fortunately, these pre-renovation biases proved to be spectacularly wrong during my recent visit. Gone in the Cistern are the narrow wooden walkways that could accommodate only a couple dozen visitors at a time in what was previously a dark, dank subterranean cavern. The Cistern complex can now handle a steady flow of tourists who can follow a wide, well-lighted, metal-mesh platform that zigs and zags through the Cistern’s maze of marble columns. Upgrades include a sophisticated lighting system that enhances the visitor experience. Spotlights bath columns in amber light. Blue lights give the water beneath the platforms an aqua glow. The effect gives the space a more expansive feel. It also highlights architectural details, and, of course, makes for a dramatic backdrop for social media photos and videos. <a href="https://medium.com/globetrotters/ten-things-to-know-when-visiting-istanbuls-dazzling-newly-renovated-basilica-cistern-e3e3c57188b8">Click Here</a>