Theodosius Cistern
Encyclopedia
The Theodosius Cistern is one of many ancient cistern
s of Constantinople
that lie beneath the city of Istanbul
, Turkey
. The modern entrance is in Piyer Loti Caddesi, Fatih
.
It was built by Roman Emperor
Theodosius II
between 428 and 443 to store water supplied by the Valens Aqueduct
. The Aqueduct of Valens was redistributed by Theodosius from its original supply to the Nymphaeum
, the Baths of Zeuxippus
and the Great Palace of Constantinople
. This redistribution led to the construction of the Theodosius Cistern.
The area is about 45 by 25 metres and the roof is supported by 32 marble columns about 9 metres high.
Like the Basilica Cistern
and the Binbirdirek Cistern, it is open to the public.
Cistern
A cistern is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater. Cisterns are distinguished from wells by their waterproof linings...
s of Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
that lie beneath the city of Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
, Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
. The modern entrance is in Piyer Loti Caddesi, Fatih
Fatih
Fatih is a municipality and district in Istanbul, Turkey that encompasses most of the peninsula coinciding with historic Constantinople. In 2009, the district of Eminönü, formerly a separate municipality located at the tip of the peninsula, was merged into Fatih...
.
It was built by Roman Emperor
Roman Emperor
The Roman emperor was the ruler of the Roman State during the imperial period . The Romans had no single term for the office although at any given time, a given title was associated with the emperor...
Theodosius II
Theodosius II
Theodosius II , commonly surnamed Theodosius the Younger, or Theodosius the Calligrapher, was Byzantine Emperor from 408 to 450. He is mostly known for promulgating the Theodosian law code, and for the construction of the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople...
between 428 and 443 to store water supplied by the Valens Aqueduct
Valens Aqueduct
The Valens Aqueduct is a Roman aqueduct which was the major water-providing system of the Eastern Roman capital of Constantinople...
. The Aqueduct of Valens was redistributed by Theodosius from its original supply to the Nymphaeum
Nymphaeum
A nymphaeum or nymphaion , in ancient Greece and Rome, was a monument consecrated to the nymphs, especially those of springs....
, the Baths of Zeuxippus
Baths of Zeuxippus
The Baths of Zeuxippus were popular public baths in the city of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. They were built between 100 to 200, destroyed by the Nika revolt of 532 and then rebuilt several years later. They were so called because they were built upon the site where a Temple...
and the Great Palace of Constantinople
Great Palace of Constantinople
The Great Palace of Constantinople — also known as the Sacred Palace — was the large Imperial Byzantine palace complex located in the south-eastern end of the peninsula now known as "Old Istanbul", modern Turkey...
. This redistribution led to the construction of the Theodosius Cistern.
The area is about 45 by 25 metres and the roof is supported by 32 marble columns about 9 metres high.
Like the Basilica Cistern
Basilica Cistern
The Basilica Cistern , is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul , Turkey...
and the Binbirdirek Cistern, it is open to the public.