"Destination guides: The Basilica Cistern, Istanbul, Turkey
by Elizabeth Coughlan
The Basilica Cistern, known locally as the Yerebatan Sarnici, stands as a glorious testament to the skill of Roman engineering. Water supply has always been a problem in Istanbul, and in ancient times water was fed to the city through a system of waterways and reservoirs. The Emperor, Great Constantinius, who ruled from 324 to 337, began a major reconstruction of the city's failing water supply, which included a small cistern where the Basilica Cistern is located today. However, by the time the Byzantine Emperor, Justinian 1, came to power (527-565), this network was also failing and unable to supply the needs of an ever-growing population. To increase its capacity, Justinian had the cistern enlarged to its present dimensions of approximately 140 x 70m (460 x 230 ft)."
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