Basilica Cistern

This morning, we went to the Basilica Cistern, an underground cavern constructed using 336 columns from ruined buildings. It was built in 532 and rediscovered in 1545.

Although we were there around 10 AM, an hour after it opened, the Aya Sofya across the street had a line down the block, but we didn't have to wait to get into the cistern. Once inside, though, the cruise line crowds caught up with us - we're going to try to avoid them the rest of the day.

One of the best parts about the cistern was the medusa heads. Two of the columns near the back are supported by giant medusa head blocks. One of the nearby tour guides asserted (in Spanish) that these heads may have come from the Temple of Apollo.