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At the Cistern of Theodosius, locally known as Serefiye Sarnici, we take our visitors through a matchless adventure in which 1600 years bringing together history art and technology. Our cistern, located in the heart of Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula, offers a one-of-a-kind experience as ancient Byzantine architecture comes to life with a unique 360° projection mapping, extraordinary in the world for a structure of this age. It allows the visitors to travel through time, enjoying the most captivating shows, each with a blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless beauty from ancient crafts.
Two iconic projection mapping shows turn the visit to the museum into a many-dimesional experience: The “From Past to Present” show, with 3D effects highlighting the spatial qualities of Serefiye Cistern takes you away on a journey through the water heritage of Istanbul while making you admire to the architectural greatness of the building. From the Byzantine to the Ottoman Empires, this is a show depicting a complex water system that has sustained Istanbul since millennia. It is like history coming alive on the mosaics, icons, and Ottoman ceramic visuals in the cistern.
The second is “Istanbul: City of Water Civilization”, which goes into depth with regard to the relationship between Istanbul and its water, therefore shedding light on the evolution of Istanbul as a “city of water” since time began. It develops hosting experiences that disclose their special historical and cultural dimensions for Istanbul’s exceptional status as a city.
Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history lover, or just a curious soul willing to uncover one of the best-kept secrets of Istanbul, Cistern of Theodosius will take you to an unforgettable atmosphere, allowing you to travel eternally in history, culture, and technology. Come and relive the historic charm of Istanbul with a truly modern twist!
It was built during the reign of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Theodosius II in the 5th century AD, which is why it carries his name.
It dates to the 5th century AD, built roughly between 428 and 443, making it about 1,600 years old and one of the oldest surviving cisterns in Istanbul.
It served as a covered underground reservoir that stored and distributed water for Constantinople, the Byzantine capital, supplied through the city’s aqueduct system.
The cistern is supported by rows of marble columns topped with Corinthian capitals that carry brick vaults, a characteristic form of Byzantine cistern engineering.
In Turkish it is known as the Serefiye Sarnici. The names Theodosius Cistern and Serefiye Cistern refer to the same Byzantine structure.
Following an extensive restoration, it was reopened as a cultural and exhibition venue in 2018, allowing visitors to explore the underground space.
It lies in the Fatih district on Istanbul’s historic peninsula, at Piyer Loti Cd. No:2/1, close to Sultanahmet and Cemberlitas.