The 1,500-year-old historical cistern located next to the Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque has been repurposed as a spa center by a five-star hotel. The establishment, named Navitas Spa Cistern, sparked significant controversy by adding a pool inside the historical cistern and creating private massage rooms on the lower floors.
The Ayasofya Museum was reopened for worship as the Ayasofya-i Kebir Mosque on July 24, 2020, after 86 years.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism filed a criminal complaint regarding this situation, citing concerns that it damaged the historical integrity of the cistern. The Fatih Municipality took steps to protect the historical structure by sealing the unlicensed establishment.
Navitas Spa Cistern offered customers 40 minutes of massage and 40 minutes of pool service, charging approximately 200 Euros (around 7,600 TL) per person for these services. However, investigations revealed that the establishment did not comply with the restoration project and had made illegal additions that compromised the essence of the historical site.
In response to complaints made in 2022, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums took action. A decision was made on November 15, 2022, requiring the removal of irregularities within six months. Despite these warnings, the establishment continued its operations, leading to a new decision on December 26, 2023, to file a criminal complaint.
The Fatih Municipality prepared a project to identify the irregularities in the historical cistern. Ultimately, the establishment, which continued to operate despite warnings, was sealed by the teams of the Fatih Municipality Building Control Directorate.
