Binbirdirek Cistern: Istanbul’s second-largest cistern with its stacked columns
- Cisterns
- Sultanahmet, Fatih
- Paid
Family hotels closest to Binbirdirek Cistern
Visitor information
| Type | Byzantine cistern |
|---|---|
| Built | 4th century, renewed in the 6th century |
| Commissioned by / architect | Byzantine period; named after the senator Philoxenos |
| Neighbourhood | Sultanahmet, Fatih |
| Opening hours | Open daily during the day; visiting hours may change on event days |
| Admission | Paid; the Müzekart is not accepted. Arrangements may change during events and exhibitions. |
| Müzekart (Turkish museum card) | Not accepted |
| Time needed | 20–30 min |
| Getting there | T1 Sultanahmet or Çemberlitaş stop, 4 min walk |
| From Sultanahmet Square | About 5 min walk (380 m) |
| Pushchair / stroller | Difficult; a baby carrier is better. You go down into the cistern by a steep staircase |
| Best time | At midday, when the Basilica Cistern is crowded |
Opening hours and prices can change; check the official website before you go. Map links open in Google Maps.
History of the Binbirdirek Cistern
The cistern was built in the early years of Constantinople, according to tradition beneath the palace of Philoxenos, one of Constantine’s senators, and was heavily repaired in the 6th century. Measuring about 64 by 56 metres, it holds 224 columns. Each column consists of two pieces joined by a ring in the middle, which makes the ceiling much higher. In the Ottoman period, workshops producing silk thread operated here for a time.
Visiting and events
After being neglected for a long time, the cistern was restored; today it is also used for exhibitions, concerts and private events, so visiting hours may change on some days. Because it is far less crowded than the Basilica Cistern, it suits those who want a calm cistern experience. As you go down into the cistern by a steep staircase, it is difficult to enter with a stroller.
What is nearby?
Binbirdirek is on a side street west of Sultanahmet Square, leading up to Divanyolu. Sultanahmet Square, the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts and the Column of Constantine are a few minutes’ walk away.
Visiting tips
- Before you go, check whether there is a private event that day.
- If the queue at the Basilica Cistern is very long, this is a good alternative for a cistern experience.
- The stairs are steep; carry small children in your arms or in a baby carrier.
Our family hotels near Binbirdirek Cistern
Walking times are approximate and measured from the hotel door; where the hotel gives its own time, we show that.
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Emirhan Inn Hotel
Binbirdirek Cistern: 10 min walk (670 m) Walking route
A budget-friendly hotel with free breakfast in Küçük Ayasofya
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Seven Roses Apart Hotel
Binbirdirek Cistern: 10 min walk (680 m) Walking route
Apartments with kitchens in Küçük Ayasofya, with roomy options for larger families
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Sareban Hotel
Binbirdirek Cistern: 10 min walk (700 m) Walking route
An alcohol-free family hotel in Küçük Ayasofya, looking out to the Marmara
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Green Life Apart Hotel
Binbirdirek Cistern: 10 min walk (700 m) Walking route
Family-run apartments with kitchenettes and a sea-view roof terrace in Küçük Ayasofya
Frequently asked questions
How many columns are there in the Binbirdirek Cistern?
The cistern has 224 columns. Because each column is made of two pieces stacked on top of each other, the name “thousand and one columns” is an expression describing their abundance.
Binbirdirek or the Basilica Cistern?
The Basilica Cistern is larger, more famous and more crowded. Binbirdirek is quieter and offers a different architecture with its two-tier columns. If you have time, you can see both.
