January 7, 2025 The sun rises from Anatolia

The Karadeniz Medrese cistern, which supplied water to Istanbul during the Byzantine period, is being unearthed

One of the many cisterns, similar to the Basilica Cistern, that fulfilled Istanbul’s water needs during the Byzantine period, the Karadeniz Medrese Cistern, will be brought to light.

Located under the Fatih Mosque, the Black Sea Madrasa Cistern with 43 columns is 51 meters long. The cistern is located on the historical peninsula known as “old Istanbul”, stretching from Edirnekapı to Sarayburnu.

Feyyaz Fidan, the Head of the Artifacts and Construction Division at the Directorate of Foundations Istanbul 1st Regional Office, stated, “The Karadeniz Medrese Cistern is located precisely beneath the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque. The mosque is situated on one of Istanbul’s seven hills. Prior to the conquest of Istanbul, the location was home to the Church of the Apostles. During the Roman and Byzantine eras, cisterns like this were constructed at various points around the city to store water.”

Fidan conveyed that the cistern measures 51 meters in length, 35 meters in width, and is supported by 43 columns.

The Karadeniz Medrese Cistern
Photo: AA

Fidan explained that the Karadeniz Medrese Cistern extends from the Çifte Baş Kurşunlu and Çifte Ayak Kurşunlu madrasas towards the northwest of the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque. He stated, “We come across a document dated 1851 mentioning this cistern. However, we observe that in the 19th-century endowment aqueducts and Pervititch maps, it wasn’t distinctly delineated. This suggests that it wasn’t in use during that period.”

Fidan mentioned that there were observations about the cistern made by architect and restorer Ali Saim Ülgen and writer Halim Baki Kunter in 1939. According to their findings, the cistern contained rubble and tree roots, and it was described as being in a stagnant and odorous state.

Karadeniz Medrese Cistern

Fidan remarked that in the present day, the cistern is covered with water up to the level of the column bases. He continued:

“We can see that the wooden supports are no longer present. We also know from historical documents that its depth is four meters. By examining both the construction technique and the joints, we can understand that it’s an original Byzantine cistern. The clarity and the smell of chlorine in the accumulated water here lead us to believe that it’s potable water from the city supply.”

Feyyaz Fidan recalled that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Directorate General of Foundations, has been conducting restoration projects in various locations across Istanbul and Turkey. He also mentioned that the restoration of the Karadeniz Medrese located above the cistern is still ongoing.

Cover Photo AA

Banner
Related Articles

Quarantine Island, which was established during the Ottoman period to prevent infectious diseases, was restored

June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024

The Quarantine Island, which was established in Urla district of Izmir during the Ottoman period to prevent infectious diseases, was...

A part of the rich cultural heritage of the ancient world: The Apameia Sarcophagus

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

The Apameia Sarcophagus, located in present-day Türkiye within the ancient city of Apameia (modern Afyonkarahisar), is a highly impressive sarcophagus....

5600-year-old Troy Ruins Search for Traces of the Trojan War

July 29, 2024

July 29, 2024

The traces of the legendary Trojan War, where heroism, love, revenge and betrayal took place, are being searched for at...

Historic Surp Garabet Church to be auctioned

May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

The 19th century Surp Garabet Church will be sold at auction. Surp Garabet Church is located in the Hafik district...

The 5000-year-old goddess figurine was found at Yassıtepe mound

October 28, 2023

October 28, 2023

A 10-centimeter goddess figurine made of baked clay, estimated to be 5000 years old, was found in the excavations of...

A theater mask made of 2000-year-old soil was found in Aizanoi, also known as ‘Second Ephesus’

November 7, 2024

November 7, 2024

In the Çavdarhisar district of Kütahya, in the ancient city of Aizanoi, also known as A theater mask made of...

Excavations continue in the ancient city of Magarsus where Alexander the Great offered sacrifices

April 25, 2024

April 25, 2024

The excavations of the ancient city of Magarsus, where the Macedonian king Alexander the Great sacrificed to Athena Megarsis and...

A 9-million-year-old saber-toothed cat skull fossil, thought to be the first of its kind in the world, has been found

July 31, 2024

July 31, 2024

In the excavation, which was attended by paleoanthropologists, paleontologists, geologists and students from various universities, a 9-million-year-old saber-toothed cat skull...

The mosaic depicting paradise in one piece in the ancient city of Perre attracts great attention of visitors

May 18, 2024

May 18, 2024

The 1500-year-old mosaic bearing the traces of the Roman period in the ancient city of Perre is one of the...

An open-air cult area has been found in the ancient city of Kastabala

December 23, 2024

December 23, 2024

An open-air cult area has been found in the ancient city of Kastabala, located in Osmaniye province in southeastern Türkiye,...

8 million-year-old ‘giant pig’ skull discovered in Central Anatolia

August 30, 2024

August 30, 2024

7 years ago, after a shepherd stumbled upon bone fragments on the banks of the Yamula Dam, an 8-million-year-old ‘giant...

A 1500-year-old church floor mosaic was found in Kahramanmaraş

October 13, 2023

October 13, 2023

In Kahramanmaraş, which was shaken by two major destructive earthquakes in February, a 1500-year-old church floor mosaic was discovered in...

The Crown Prince and Princess of Japan will visit the archaeological site associated with Prince Mikasa in Türkiye

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Türkiye on Tuesday for a goodwill visit to commemorate the...

One of the oldest water channels dating back to 8,200 years ago was discovered in Yeşilova Mound

August 27, 2023

August 27, 2023

Archaeologists have discovered one of the oldest water channels dating back to 8,200 years ago at Yeşilova Mound, located in...

1900-year-old child footprints were found in Stratonikeia, the City of Immortal Loves

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

In ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, known as the City of Immortal Loves, 1900-year-old child footprints have...

Comments
Leave a Reply

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