Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern to Reopen Saturday After Surprise Closure

One of Istanbul’s most visited attractions, the Basilica Cistern, is expected to welcome visitors again this Saturday after being abruptly shut down earlier this week. The closure, announced Tuesday, came as control of the ancient underground water reservoir was transferred from the city’s municipal government to the General Directorate of Foundations, following a court ruling.

The directorate told RIA Novosti that reopening is tentatively set for June 6, though no decision has been made on ticket prices for foreign tourists. The cistern, famous for its eerie columns and atmospheric lighting, draws long lines of both locals and international visitors nearly every day.

The handover has sparked friction. Istanbul’s acting mayor, Nuri Aslan, said the municipality plans to challenge the transfer in court, noting that the site was restored using city funds under the administration of Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor who has been jailed since March on multiple criminal charges.

This isn’t the first such move. The Galata Tower, another iconic Istanbul landmark, was placed under foundation control back in 2019. For now, travelers hoping to explore the cistern’s watery depths should mark Saturday on their calendars—and keep an eye out for pricing updates.