• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Homepage
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

Istanbul Travel Blog

An Insider's Guide to Istanbul

  • Accommodation
  • Activities
  • Museums
  • History
  • Districts
  • Food
  • Shopping
  • Excursions
  • Private Tours

Theodosius Cistern Ticket Price & Hours [Updated 2023]

February 24, 2023 by Serhat Engul

Theodosius Cistern is located in Sultanahmet, one of the most popular touristic centers of Istanbul. There are light shows every hour in the cistern, which was recently restored and opened to visitors.

The most famous cistern in Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern from the reign of Emperor Justinian. But Theodosius Cistern is essentially even older than Basilica Cistern. This cistern takes its name from Theodosius II, who made many architectural contributions to Istanbul.

There is also a third cistern, the Cistern of Philoxenos, in Sultanahmet. Of the three, Theodosius Cistern is the smallest when ranked in size. However, as this is the most recently restored cistern, visiting it is a wonderful experience for those who trace Roman (and Byzantine) history.

Table of Contents

  • Why Were Cisterns Built?
  • Theodosius Cistern Entance Fee 2023
  • Theodosius Cistern Opening Hours 2023
  • Conclusion

Why Were Cisterns Built?

Theodosius Cistern or Serefiye Sarnici in Istanbul

Istanbul was actually a Greek colony founded in the 7th century BC. In this period, its name was Byzantium. The name of the city came from Byzas, who came here from Ancient Greece and founded the city.

Although the small town of Byzantium was established in a water-scarce area, it could survive by storing rainwater. Early settlers were minimally affected by the very dry nature of the Historical Peninsula (Constantinople).

However, Byzantium became the eastern capital of the Roman Empire in the 300s. When Emperor Constantine moved his throne here, Constantinople suddenly became one of the most populated cities in the world.

Members of the Roman Senate and Roman nobles had moved to Constantinople. The place known today as the Sultanahmet district had suddenly become the royal area of the “New Rome” city.

Iconic structures such as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the Great Palace, the Baths of Zeuxippus and the Hagia Sophia were built here over time. For this reason, the need for water in the center of the capital had increased tremendously.

The largest aqueduct project of late antiquity began to be built to meet the capital’s water needs. Thanks to this water system, which was completed during the reign of Emperor Valens, drinking water could be brought to Constantinople from hundreds of kilometers away.

The water carried to the city from this aqueduct was stored in three giant cisterns built in the area known today as Sultanahmet (the eastern end of the Historical Peninsula). Thus, water could be supplied to the imperial structures I mentioned above.

Theodosius Cistern Entance Fee 2023

Theodosius Cistern light show

The entrance fee for Theodosius Cistern is 150 Turkish Liras in 2023. In the cistern, there is a light show every hour reflecting the history of Istanbul on the walls. The Istanbul Museum Pass card is not valid in the museum, known locally as the Şerefiye Cistern.

Theodosius Cistern Opening Hours 2023

The visiting hours for Theodosius Cistern are between 09:00 in the morning and 19:00 in the evening in 2023. Before you go, I suggest you check the Şerefiye Cistern’s official site one last time.

Conclusion

There are many Byzantine period structures to see in Istanbul. You can find information about Byzantine artifacts in Istanbul on the home page of this site, which is about the Byzantine heritage in Istanbul.

You can also join a tour on the Byzantine history of Istanbul. Serhat Engul, the author of this site, is a licensed tour guide in Istanbul and organizes Byzantine Istanbul themed private tours. You can read more from this post.

Filed Under: Museums

About Serhat Engul

Hello, I'm Serhat Engul. I am a licensed tour guide living in Istanbul. I designed this blog to give general information to visitors to Istanbul. If you want to go on a private guided tour of Istanbul with me, you can check my references from the ABOUT section and write to me via the CONTACT page.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Our Social Media Links

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Istanbul Gudied Tours

blankHello, I'm Serhat Engul. I am a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul. I do private walking tours in Istanbul focusing on Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history. If you want to join a private guided tour in Istanbul, you can check out my references and tours from this page

Footer

Istanbul Travel Blog

Istanbul Travel Blog is designed to introduce you to the history, museums, restaurants and culture of istanbul.

Private Tour Guide in Istanbul

Author of this blog, Serhat Engul, is a licensed tour guide based in Istanbul.

Recent

  • FENER and BALAT Things to DO & Walking TOUR [2023]
  • Theodosius Cistern Ticket Price & Hours [Updated 2023]
  • 20 Byzantine SITES & History TOUR in Istanbul [2023]
  • Istanbul Private HALF DAY Walking Tours [Updated 2023]
  • Grand Bazaar (Istanbul) Opening HOURS [Updated 2023]

Powered by Reborn Travel

blank

© All Rights Reserved (2019-2023) - By Serhat Engul