Page 55 - Журнал «Русский Берег» #14-2022

RUSSIAN COAST | № 6/14 2022 ПРОГНОЗЫ | PREDICTION

BASILICA CISTERN
Several times a year, the sounds of
classical music are heard under Sultanahmet
Square. These are concerts in one of the most
acoustically successful halls in Istanbul - in the mystical music is playing. But then evening
Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir. The comes, the noise subsides, and the dungeon
acoustics here are so good that the voices of the is filled with its own sounds - a quiet splash
singers echo through the huge hall. is heard in the pool, the echo of dripping
And on ordinary, “non-concert” days, the water is heard. A barely perceptible rustle is
Basilica opens its doors to tourists. You can heard - these are invisible air currents winding
get into it through an unremarkable one- between the marble columns. The hall of the
story building opposite Hagia Sophia. The basilica - cool, filled with a thick orange-bloody
inconspicuous entrance hides the richness of light of halogen lamps - is filled with a mystical
the internal architecture, confirming the name atmosphere.
Yerebatan Sarayi, "the palace that has gone The columns - there are 336 in total, 28 in
underground". 12 rows - reflected in the water surface, go up
The stone steps of the stairs lead down, 8 meters, under the vaulted ceiling. At the base say your request. You need to approach this
where a reservoir is located at a depth of of two of them are the inverted heads of the ceremony responsibly - what if it comes true?
ten meters underground. It was built by the Gorgon Medusa. The builders themselves gave The ancient land of Byzantium keeps many
Byzantines in the 6th century to store water this position to the heads - perhaps so that visitors secrets and fragments of many civilizations.
supplies in Constantinople. This water was used would not meet the eyes of the deadly gaze of a There are few places in the world where there
in case of drought or the siege of the city, and mythical creature. are so many reminders of past centuries. And
during the Ottoman Empire - for watering the There is also a “weeping” column, drops of not all of them are ready to reveal their secrets
gardens of the Topkapı Palace. water flow down its marble like tears. The hole so easily. But an inquisitive mind will always find
During opening hours, the Basilica is noisy: in it is for making a wish. You need to put your its way, and our magazine will help it to the best
tourists are talking, iPhone cameras are clicking, thumb in the marble hole in the column and of its ability.

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