Cistern of Aspar: A Byzantine Gem in Istanbul

Cistern of Aspar: A Byzantine Gem in Istanbul

Deep within Istanbul’s historical fabric, far from the usual tourist crowds, lies a monument of immense historical importance and serene grandeur: the Aspar Cistern. This colossal open-air reservoir, a testament to the engineering prowess of the Byzantine Empire, offers a unique window into the sophisticated urban infrastructure of ancient Constantinople.

Once a vital component of the city’s water supply system, this hidden gem now serves as a serene public space, its history resonating through the centuries. This article delves into the rich history, architectural wonder, and enduring legacy of the Aspar Cistern, a must-see for any discerning traveler seeking to discover Istanbul’s lesser-known treasures.

Unveiling a Byzantine Marvel: What is the Cistern of Aspar?

The Cistern of Aspar, known in Turkish as the ‘Sultan Selim Çukurbostanı’ (the Sunken Garden of Sultan Selim), is one of the three great open-air cisterns of ancient Constantinople. Constructed in the 5th century, it stands as a remarkable example of Byzantine hydraulic engineering.

Unlike the more famous subterranean cisterns like the Basilica Cistern, the Cistern of Aspar was designed as a vast, open basin to store a massive volume of water, crucial for the survival and prosperity of the city’s inhabitants. Its sheer scale and the ingenuity of its construction underscore the advanced state of civil engineering in the Eastern Roman Empire.

Key Features of the Cistern of Aspar:

• Type: Open-air water reservoir
• Era: Byzantine Empire
• Constructed: 459 AD
• Location: Fatih district, Istanbul
• Dimensions: Approximately 152 meters by 152 meters
• Depth: Around 10 to 11 meters
• Capacity: Estimated at 230,000 to 250,000 cubic meters of water

Learn more details about the Cistern of Aspar

The Mastermind Behind the Cistern: Flavius Ardabur Aspar

The cistern owes its name to its influential patron, Flavius Ardabur Aspar, a prominent figure in the Byzantine court of the fifth century. Aspar, an Alan of Germanic descent, rose through the military ranks to become one of the most powerful men in the empire.

His career is a fascinating study of the complex interplay between military prowess and political maneuvering that characterized the late Roman and early Byzantine periods.

Aspar’s influence was so profound that he was a decisive factor in the rise of several emperors. However, his Arian Christian faith in a predominantly Chalcedonian Christian empire ultimately proved to be an obstacle to his own imperial ambitions.

Despite his immense power, or perhaps because of it, his life was marked by political intrigue and ultimately ended in violent assassination. The construction of this great cistern stands as an enduring monument to his power and civic contributions to the city of Constantinople.

A Feat of Engineering: The Architecture of the Cistern

The construction of the Aspar Cistern was a monumental undertaking, reflecting sophisticated Byzantine engineering. The reservoir is an almost perfect square, testimony to the precision of the surveying and planning employed in its design. The walls, several meters thick, were built to withstand the immense pressure of the water they were to contain.

A distinctive feature of the cistern’s construction is the use of alternating layers of brick and ashlar (cut stone). This technique, known as “opus mixtum,” was a hallmark of Roman and Byzantine construction, providing both strength and flexibility to the structure.

This method allowed the enormous walls to better withstand the seismic activity common in the region. The large scale of the excavation and the meticulous construction of the walls would have required considerable labor and a high level of organizational skill.

The Lifeblood of a City: The Function of the Cistern

In an era before modern plumbing, a reliable water supply was the lifeblood of any major city, and Constantinople was no exception.

The Cistern of Aspar played a crucial role in the city’s complex water management system.

It was part of an extensive network of aqueducts, channels, and other cisterns that ensured a year-round supply of fresh water for the city’s burgeoning population.

The water stored in the Cistern of Aspar would have been used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Public consumption: Supplying water to the city’s fountains and public baths.
• Irrigation: Providing water for the numerous gardens and agricultural plots within the city walls.
• Military and Imperial Needs: Ensuring a sufficient water supply for the Great Palace and the city’s garrisons.
• Firefighting: A ready reserve of water to combat the frequent fires that plagued ancient cities.

The open-air design of the cistern, while making it susceptible to evaporation and contamination, allowed for the collection of rainwater, supplementing the supply from the aqueducts.

From Water Reservoir to Sunken Garden: A Post-Byzantine Transformation

With the decline and subsequent fall of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople’s magnificent hydraulic system fell into disuse. The aqueducts that fed the Aspar Cistern were abandoned, and the once vital reservoir gradually lost its original function.

During the Ottoman period, a remarkable transformation took place. The empty cistern, with its fertile soil at the bottom, was converted into a vegetable garden, earning it the Turkish name “Çukurbostan” or “sunken garden.”

This new function breathed new life into the ancient structure, turning it into a productive part of the urban landscape. For centuries, the “sunken garden” provided fresh produce to the surrounding neighborhoods, a testament to the adaptability of the city and its inhabitants. In a way, it continued to sustain the life of the city, albeit in a different form.

The Cistern of Aspar in the Modern Era: A Place of Recreation

In the 20th century, the Aspar Cistern underwent another transformation. Recognizing its historical significance and potential as a public space, the area was converted into a recreational park. Today, the vast expanse that once held millions of gallons of water is home to sports fields, playgrounds, and green spaces, offering a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of modern Istanbul.

The ancient Byzantine walls now serve as a spectacular backdrop to everyday city life, a place where children play and families gather. This modern incarnation of the Aspar Cistern allows residents and visitors to connect with the city’s rich history in a tangible and engaging way.

Recent restorations have focused on preserving the remaining structures and enhancing the visitor experience, ensuring that this Byzantine gem will continue to be appreciated by generations to come.

Discovering the Cistern of Aspar: A Visitor’s Guide

For those wishing to explore this hidden corner of Istanbul, the Cistern of Aspar is located in the historic Fatih district, in close proximity to the impressive Yavuz Selim Mosque.

Its location on the fifth hill of the city offers commanding views of the Golden Horn. While it may not have the subterranean allure of the Basilica Cistern, its open-air setting and immense scale offer a different, but no less impressive, experience.

What to Expect:

• A Glimpse into Byzantine Engineering: The sheer size of the cistern and the construction of its walls are a powerful reminder of the technical achievements of the Byzantine Empire.
• A Peaceful Retreat: The park setting provides a tranquil environment to relax and contemplate the long and varied history of this ancient structure.
• Photographic Opportunities: The contrast between the ancient walls and the modern park offers unique photographic possibilities.
• A Local Experience: Observing the daily life of the surrounding community provides a more authentic Istanbul experience.

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The Enduring Legacy of Istanbul’s Byzantine Cisterns

The Aspar Cistern is a vital piece of a larger historical puzzle. The numerous cisterns scattered throughout Istanbul, both above ground and underground, bear witness to the city’s enduring legacy as a center of innovation and empire.

These remarkable structures, often hidden from view, offer a fascinating glimpse into the daily life and grand ambitions of a civilization that shaped the course of history.

Exploring the Aspar Cistern is more than just a historical excursion; it is an opportunity to connect with the deep and complex past of one of the world’s most important cities. As you step inside its ancient walls, you can almost hear the echoes of its Byzantine past, its Ottoman transformation, and its vibrant present.