Legend has it that Medusa once used to protect this great building. In fact, you will still see two Medusa heads at the base of the columns here. Even today, the Basilica Cistern comes across as one of the most magical buildings in all of Istanbul. Interestingly, this large underground water reservoir (one of several hundred hidden ones in the city) has been a filming location for several Hollywood blockbusters.

Tom Hanks was here while filming Dan Brown's thriller Inferno in 2016. If that's not adventurous enough for you, you should know that James Bond's From Russia with Love was also shot here. Clearly, Hollywood producers loved the intriguing atmosphere of the place, and you will too when you experience it for yourself.

The building itself was constructed all the way back in 532 AD. As you stroll along the raised platforms and take in its beautiful sights, think back to the history this place has experienced. Admire the 336 illuminated marble and granite columns, and get transported back to another era. The Byzantine architecture in the Basilica Cistern has stood the test of time (and many a tourist wave). Listen to your guide as they tell you about the different building materials used across different eras. You'll also get to see the carp that thrive in the shallow waters of the reservoir!