GPS : 41°00'27.5"N 28°58'28.0"E / 41.007639, 28.974444
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The Philoxenos Binbirdirek cistern is located to the west of the Hippodrome. Istanbul’s need of water has been a problem for centuries. During the Roman period Istanbul's water requirements were met by water brought from distant parts of Thrace. The Byzantines built large cisterns in order to be able to withstand long sieges.
Now the cistern, measuring 64 by 56 meters, is an easily accessible, interesting and beautiful site to visit. Binbirdirek was built in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Great, and historical sources attribute it to Philoxenus. Of the 224 original columns, 212 are still standing. The thick walls of the cistern, the brick vaults, the columns in two tiers bound together by stone ties, and the plain column capitals create an impressive atmosphere.
The Binbirdirek Cistern (1001 Columns), which was built by the order of Philoksenos, (a Senate member in the Constantinus I period of the 4th century) under Lausus Palace is located between Sultanahmet and Beyazıt, just across from the Adalet Sarayı (Justice Palace). This cistern covering an area of 3.640 sq.m and having a capacity of 325.000 sq.cb. water is the second biggest cistern in Istanbul after Yerebatan.
Binbirdirek measuring 66 x 56 m. was carried by 224 columns consisting of 16 rows each one having 14 columns all of which are equal in length, and every column carries the signature of its master. There is a thick overlapping astragal running round the columns carrying the vaults and arches and they are in the form of a truncated pyramid and are without decoration.
The relief cross on one of the columns is good proof that the cistern was built in the 4th century, after the Byzantine accepted Christianity. In order to construct ceilings 14-15 meters height, a second layer of columns were fixed over the marble rings on the first layer of columns. When the palace was destroyed in the 6th century the cistern was restored.
Binbirdirek Cistern which is the second largest of the covered Byzantine cisterns in Istanbul was built during the time of Justinian the Great in the 6th century. This amazing cistern with 224 columns had the capacity of holding 50.000 cu. meters water.
The cistern of the palace belonging to Philoxenus, a senator who had been sent from Rome to settle in this newly-founded city in the reign of Constantine I is considered to be that referred to as "Binbirdirek Sarnıcı" (The Cistern of a Thousand and One Columns), and the water drained away from it many years ago.
It was recently cleaned and connected with a gallery to the side street. Now the cistern, measuring 64 by 56 meters, is an easily accessible, interesting and beautiful site to visit. Binbirdirek was built in the 4th century during the reign of Constantine the Great, and historical sources state that binbirdirek is the oldest known cistern found in Istanbul , is interesting in terms of its excellent interior design and also because the columns , all of which are equal in length, must have been hewn with this structure in mind. There is a thick overlapping astragal running round the columns carrying the vaults and arches.
Their capitals, on the other hand, are in the form of a truncated pyramid and are without decoration. Of the 224 original columns, 212 are still standing. The thick walls of the cistern, the brick vaults, the columns in two tiers bound together by stone ties, and the plain column capitals create an impressive atmosphere. During the renovation work small booths for vendors, a cafe, and exhibition areas were constructed, and the hollow section in the middle of the cistern was cleaned of mud to show the original height of the columns.
After the Ottomans’ conquest of Istanbul in 1453, new cisterns were built and Binbirdirek Cistern was not used anymore. Fazlı Paşa then built a mansion over the walls of the cistern and the cistern was then used for supplying water. When the mansion was destroyed as a result of a fire, the cistern was converted to silk atelier and then various houses were built over it in course of time.
It was recently cleaned and connected with a gallery to the side street. The cistern was restored recently and the ground was raised for safety reasons. Today the original ground can only be seen at the center of the pool area.
During the renovation work small booths for vendors, a cafe, and exhibition areas were constructed, and the hollow section in the middle of the cistern was cleaned of mud to show the original height of the columns. The site is open everyday. Today the cistern is the host of an a la carte restaurant, a wine house, a hubble-bubble cafe and various stands.
Binbirdirek Cistern nowadays is used as museum from 09:00 - 17:00 and in the evening. Binbirdirek welcomes visitors in Private Parties, Wedding Ceremonies, Venues, Parties, Exhibitions, Openings, Welcome Cocktails and your private organizations with its breathtaking atmosphere.
While civilizations, countries, emperors and people have been changing and the time has been going by with the speed that we can not catch up, the 1001 Cistern has been watching around with a smile for more than 1600 years as it had predicted these changes. 1001 Direk Cistern opens its doors to the visitors as a place that lives every day differently and serves varied alternatives since we purpose the 1001 Direk Cistern to hold a dinstinctive place in İstanbul’s cultural and artifice life.
In May 2005, Dom Turizm has set up by two brothers to manage 1001 Direk Cistern, and at the end of efficient reconstruction Works, the cistern has returned to its old and splendid days. From that day, Baran Güreş and Sertaç Güreş brothers have gone swiftly to continuance of renovating the deficiencies and a new institution has been formed where you get a Professional and reliable assistance easily.
Firstly, Dom Turizm has worked to become valuable of the Historical 1001 Direk Cistern as a museum, and in the other side, Dom Turizm didn’t hang back from working together with civillian society foundations and public for growing up the tourism in İstanbul. And also they worked to increase the museum visitors every year, and the Cistern to be well-known in international areas.
While 1001 Direk Cistern, which takes an important place especially in Congress Tourism, becomes the host of very important invitations increasing every year, continues working to grow up not only itself, but also its surroundings. Historical 1001 Direk Cistern is waiting to become a host of your most painstaking invitations with the culture of hundert years in the heart of historical peninsula.
We share the tastes of the Turkish and the World cuisines with our experienced kitchen and service personnel with our setted kitchen in 1001 Direk Cistern which is 1700 years atmosphere. Dom Turizm, whose aim is to hand the best service to his guests, commended its new and completed professional kitchen to experienced chiefs. We treat our guests with respect in 1001 Direk Cistern with a mark of 1001 Catering which has the substructure of handing service also to “outside”.
The charming atmosphere of 1001 Direk Cistern forms special alternatives for your invitations. The Cistern has the capacity of 1.500 guests in sit-down dinner set up and 3.000 guests standing cocktail.
Therefore, in these events, you will not only be able to have joyful hours in a heaven-sent atmosphere, but also you will add a character to your events through this building that extends from very old times until our time. To create the most appropriate environment for your events, in the 1001 Direk Cistern; decoration, music, shows and audio visual equipment. Our experienced sales team is ready to support your corporate events, product launches, fashion shows, exhibitions, weddings or parties that have been in your dreams.
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WEB SITE : Binbirdirek Cistern
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E-Mail : info@binbirdirek.com
Phone : +90 212 518 1001
Fax : +90 212 518 1001
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