Famous for its cisterns, Istanbul has always had an important place in terms of centrality. Nakilbent Cistern is one of the first things that come to mind when considering Istanbul cisterns. The Nakilbent Cistern, located south of the Hippodrome and right behind the Blue Mosque, was created in the 6th century as part of the Constantinople water system. Nakilbent Cistern, like many other Byzantine-era cisterns in Istanbul, wasn't known for centuries before being discovered by chance. And it got its name from the name of the street where it is located.
After undergoing renovation, the cistern, which was strengthened and altered throughout the Ottoman Empire, was reopened to the public in 2005. During the Ottoman period, the door was opened from the cistern to the mosque and its use was ensured. Today, the cistern, which hosts a permanent exhibition, contains history and culture.
We can say that the most common definition of a cistern is a water tank all over the world. The Nakilbent Cistern, on the other hand, is a cistern that was almost designed to depict the spirit of water. In terms of architecture and functioning, it was designed to serve water rather than people.
While there was a vast amount of water in the cistern for many years, the waters gradually receded, allowing people to walk on the floor. Every year, various exhibitions are held to make use of such a historical texture.