Podcasts · The Story of Turkey: From Byzantium to the Ottoman Empire to Today — Fexingo History
Istanbul's Hidden Waters: The City’s Secret Life
· 6:45 · S6 E256
Episode Istanbul's Hidden Waters: The City’s Secret Life
This episode explores the subterranean world beneath Istanbul, focusing on the Yerebatan Sarnıcı, also known as the Basilica Cistern. We trace how Justinian I ordered its construction in the sixth century to secure Constantinople’s water supply during sieges, only for it to fall into obscurity until its rediscovery in 1545 by the French scholar Petrus Gyllius. Luna and Lucas discuss the engineering marvels of Mimar Sinan, who later renovated the cistern, and the haunting beauty of the Medusa heads used as column bases. The conversation delves into the daily life of Ottoman citizens who relied on these hidden reservoirs, the role of the Sebil water fountains, and how the city’s relationship with water shaped its architecture and survival through centuries of conflict.
#YerebatanSarnici #BasilicaCistern #JustinianI #Constantinople #MimarSinan #PetrusGyllius #OttomanWater #MedusaHead #ByzantineEngineering #TopkapiPalace #ValensAqueduct #Sebil #MehmedII #SuleymanTheMagnificent #IstanbulHistory #SubterraneanCities #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast
Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
Links in the notes 1
Transcript
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.