08/11/2024
In Istanbul (Constantinople), a now renowned building has a deep historical foundation, quite literally. The base of the structure is a Roman cistern, originally built centuries ago, likely to serve the needs of local merchants during the Roman and Byzantine periods. Over time, the cistern was buried beneath the ground as the cityโs floor level rose, and earthquakes shifted the landscape, leading to its eventual obscurity.
Each floor of the building reflects a different era of construction, as successive generations added new layers. Close to this site is a historical bathhouse, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, which was used by the Janissaries. There is a strong possibility that the cistern, at some point, provided water to this bathhouse during the Ottoman period, seamlessly linking different periods of the city's history.
