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Human history is truly complex, isn’t it? There are countless websites introducing historical figures and events, but many of them are just plain explanations—not exactly exciting to read. On the other hand, reading books takes a lot of time and effort. That’s where I come in. Through "stories that are more engaging than explanations and shorter than books," I aim to bring the world’s history and humanity’s records to you in a more accessible and interesting way. If my stories inspire you to love history a little more, I’d be absolutely thrilled!
The Underground Palace of Istanbul (Basilica Cistern, Yerebatan Sarnıcı) is a historic cistern located in Istanbul, Turkey.
It was built in the 6th century by Justinian I of the Eastern Roman Empire,
and its vast underground space is supported by approximately 336 columns.
The construction was carried out by 7,000 workers.
Also known as the "Sunken Palace," the cistern exudes a mystical atmosphere that fascinates many visitors.
The reflection of the columns on the water, the unique silence, and the harmony of light create a space that feels like an art museum.
It’s a place where history and natural beauty intersect.
Particularly, the Medusa head sculptures, placed upside down or sideways, evoke a sense of mystery.
And then, this column is called the "Column of Tears."
Why would they carve such decorations into a simple cistern column?
Isn't it a waste of time and effort?
You might think so, right?
In fact, these columns were repurposed from abandoned temples within the Byzantine Empire.
That’s why carvings and Medusa heads are placed at the bottom of a cistern, where no one would normally see them.
It's astonishing that these stone columns and sculptures, built centuries ago, have retained their beauty to this day.
The Basilica Cistern (Underground Palace) has been used as a filming location for various movies due to its mysterious and grand atmosphere. Below are some famous examples.
From Russia with Love (1963), part of the James Bond series
In this movie, James Bond is depicted traveling through the cistern by boat to communicate with spies in Istanbul. The vast underground space serves as a suspenseful setting that heightens the tension.
Inferno (2016)
Based on the novel by Dan Brown, this movie also features the Basilica Cistern as the setting for its climax. The protagonists face a major crisis in the cistern after solving a series of puzzles. The mystical underground space further enhances the suspense of the film.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Although the entire film isn't set in Istanbul, there is a scene featuring a mysterious underground space reminiscent of the Basilica Cistern.
It's said that this location inspired parts of the film's production.
Thus, the Basilica Cistern, with its unique scenery and historical background, is a highly popular location for films and TV dramas.
It has provided inspiration to many directors and production teams.
The Underground Palace of Istanbul (Yerebatan Sarnıcı) was constructed in the 6th century during the reign of Justinian I (527–565).
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It was built to supply water to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (now Istanbul).
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In times of war or siege, securing a stable water supply within the city was crucial to prevent disruption.
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However, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453, they preferred using above-ground water sources, reducing the importance of the cistern.
As a result, the Basilica Cistern remained forgotten for over a century.
Despite this, the cistern continued to exist beneath the city, even as buildings were constructed above it.
In 1545, the French traveler Petrus Gyllius rediscovered the cistern.
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He noticed local residents were drilling holes in their floors to draw water from underground
and
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even fishing from them.
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Intrigued, Gyllius decided to investigate the underground of Istanbul.
Then...
It was huge!!
There were 336 columns!!
So many fish were swimming,
and Medusa's head was submerged!!
This is how the French traveler Petrus Gyllius uncovered the existence of this massive water storage facility.
The cistern underwent several restorations over time and took on its current form. In the latter half of the 20th century, it was opened to the public as a tourist site, and even now, many people visit this mystical space.
I am one of them.
If you found this article helpful or enjoyable, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee! 👈Click☕🙏
I’m a passionate blogger who loves diving deep into human history and sharing captivating stories about remarkable figures and events from the past. My blog combines engaging storytelling with beautiful illustrations, making history accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Currently, I write my blog while managing a full-time job. Balancing both limits the time I can dedicate to research, writing, and illustrations. With your support on Ko-fi, I can reduce the time spent on my main job and focus more on blogging, allowing me to increase the frequency of updates and bring you even more captivating stories.
Whether it’s a one-time coffee or a regular contribution, every bit goes directly into making history engaging and fun for my readers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through time. Let’s uncover the past together!
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Human history is truly complex, isn’t it? There are countless websites introducing historical figures and events, but many of them are just plain explanations—not exactly exciting to read. On the other hand, reading books takes a lot of time and effort. That’s where I come in. Through "stories that are more engaging than explanations and shorter than books," I aim to bring the world’s history and humanity’s records to you in a more accessible and interesting way. If my stories inspire you to love history a little more, I’d be absolutely thrilled!
Previously, I introduced the World Heritage site in Turkey, Hagia Sophia.
Why did Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) become a mosque again?👈You can click this.
Just a few hundred meters away from it is the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, which is often called the most beautiful mosque in the world.
And the story behind it is fascinating.
It's incredibly interesting!
That's why I want to tell you!
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The 14th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Ahmed I.
He ascended to the throne as emperor at the age of just 13 years old.
He wanted to build golden minarets for the Sultan Ahmed Mosque.
So, he told his architect, Mehmet Ağa:
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"Build golden minarets for the Sultan Ahmed Mosque!"
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Minarets are the towers surrounding a mosque where the call to prayer (adhan) is made five times a day.
Sultan Ahmed I most likely thought:
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By constructing gleaming golden minarets, many people would come to pray at the mosque he built.
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And people would be moved by the sight and praise the emperor who built it, they would support him.
His name would be remembered throughout history.
However, there was one miscalculation.
The architect, Mehmet Ağa, was quite an old man.
Naturally, he was hard of hearing, and as a result, he misunderstood the word for gold and the number six.
Gold in Turkish is "altın," and six in Turkish is "altı."
For an elderly man, it was hard to distinguish…
So it's no wonder he misheard!
As a result, Mehmet Ağa ended up constructing six minarets for the Sultan Ahmed Mosque instead of golden ones.
Obviously, seeing this, Sultan Ahmed I was astonished!
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"What is this?!
Why did they build six minarets?!"
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"What?
But you, Your Majesty, directly ordered me to build six of them..."
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"Not six! I said gold!"
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Many of you may be thinking:
what's the big deal?
It's just six minarets, right?
If he wanted them gold, he could just paint them later.
I thought the same.
But the problem wasn’t the color.
Minarets are not just towers that call for prayers(adhan).
They also symbolize the status and prestige of the mosque.
At that time, the most sacred place in Islam, the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, had six minarets.
Therefore, there was a rule that no mosque should have more than six minarets.
However, despite it being an accident, Sultan Ahmed I ended up breaking this rule.
Sultan Ahmed Mosque has 6 minarets,
the most sacred place in Islam, and the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, has six minarets as well.
In other words, albeit accidentally, Sultan Ahmed Mosque was made equivalent in status to the holy site of Mecca.
That's why he was seriously panicked!!
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What the heck!!
Sultan Ahmed was really panicked.
This could provoke the resentment of devout Muslims.
I can't afford to lose the position of the emperor even though I finally ascended to over something like this!
It seems that even emperors fear religion...
So, how should he do?
Should he demolish one of the minarets of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque?
or
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"I'm so sorry but it's just an accident..."
Should he explain the situation honestly and seek understanding from the Islamic authorities?
No!!!
He gifted an additional minaret to the Haram Mosque in Mecca!!
The Haram Mosque in Mecca would have seven minarets.
The status of Mecca as the holy city of Islam was preserved, and Sultan Ahmed I gained support from devout Muslims for donating a minaret to the holy site.
Clever!
Clever, Sultan Ahmed!
He turned a crisis into an opportunity!
It's understandable that he ascended to the throne as emperor at the age of just 13 years old.
Incidentally, the Haram Mosque now has 13 minarets.
The number has increased further.
And what’s intriguing is not just the exterior of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, but also its interior.
It’s truly beautiful.
I've been there myself, so please take a look.
If you found this article helpful or enjoyable, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee! 👈Click☕🙏
I’m a passionate blogger who loves diving deep into human history and sharing captivating stories about remarkable figures and events from the past. My blog combines engaging storytelling with beautiful illustrations, making history accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Currently, I write my blog while managing a full-time job. Balancing both limits the time I can dedicate to research, writing, and illustrations. With your support on Ko-fi, I can reduce the time spent on my main job and focus more on blogging, allowing me to increase the frequency of updates and bring you even more captivating stories.
Whether it’s a one-time coffee or a regular contribution, every bit goes directly into making history engaging and fun for my readers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through time. Let’s uncover the past together!
Human history is truly complex, isn’t it? There are countless websites introducing historical figures and events, but many of them are just plain explanations—not exactly exciting to read. On the other hand, reading books takes a lot of time and effort. That’s where I come in. Through "stories that are more engaging than explanations and shorter than books," I aim to bring the world’s history and humanity’s records to you in a more accessible and interesting way. If my stories inspire you to love history a little more, I’d be absolutely thrilled!
I went to dinner with my Afghan friend.
Her name is Sofya.
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She was surprised,
"You can pronounce my name correctly.
Most Japanese can't pronounce my name correctly"
Yes, I know the pronunciation of her name.
Because I like the World Heritage site Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) in Turkey.
The pronunciation is the same.
So I'll explain about Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya).
Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) is interesting!!
That’s why I want to tell you!!
So I'll explain Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) as clearly and concisely as possible.
Hagia Sophia was originally a cathedral of the Eastern Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire.
However, Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) fell to the Ottoman Empire, and Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) became a mosque.
However, the Ottoman Empire was defeated in World War I, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
Afterward, Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) was turned into a museum under the first president Mustafa Kemal to avoid conflict between Christianity and Islam.
He avoided conflict between each religion by the Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) was turned into a museum with no religion.
That's why the interior of Hagia Sophia is a fascinating place where Christian mosaics and Islamic inscriptions coexist.
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However, later on, President Erdoğan turned it back into a mosque.
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Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) contains Christian mosaics, which are valuable historical assets for the Christian Church.
However, Islam prohibits idol worship.
Therefore, turning Hagia Sophia into a mosque raises the fear that these precious mosaics for the Christian Church might be erased.
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This is why, naturally, the Christian Church was outraged.
What becomes a point of interest here is why President Erdoğan went ahead and turned Hagia Sophia back into a mosque despite the criticism from Christian churches worldwide.
So, I looked into the reasons behind this decision.
According to my research,
it seems that it was to gain support from the public.
For a president, public support is vital.
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If a president loses public support, they lose their power and fall from grace.
Those in power do not want to lose that power or step down from their position.
In other words, public support is a lifeline for the president.
So, how can they secure that support?
He should align himself with the majority of the population.
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The Republic of Turkey has a large number of devout Muslim citizens.
So, how can you win their support?
To turn Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) back into a mosque.
By turning Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) into a mosque for Islam,
He can solidify the backing of the majority of the population.
This seems to be the reason why President Erdoğan pushed ahead with making Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) a mosque again, despite the criticism from Christian churches around the world.
In fact, it seems that President Erdoğan gained a lot of approval and support from the majority of the population as a result.
By the way, the mosaics, which are Christian heritage, remain intact and have not been erased.
Therefore, when you visit Hagia Sophia, you can see them without any issues.
I actually went to Hagia Sophia.
There are some important things to note when entering.
Women, regardless of religion or nationality, need to cover their faces with a scarf.
There is no loan service for scarves, so you must bring your own.
They can be purchased at nearby stalls.
However, something to be careful about is for men with long hair like mine. Men don’t need to cover their faces with a scarf.
That’s why I entered Hagia Sophia(Ayasofya) without a scarf.
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After walking around for a while, a large security guard came to confront me with a fierce attitude. It seemed they had mistaken me for a woman.
He is a large man who must be 190 centimeters tall.
As expected of security residing in a world heritage site, he seems to have high combat power.
Probably status 999.
He approaches me with a devilish look on his face.
As if he was going to crush me!!
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“Wrap a hijab!!”
In that case, you should immediately say:
“I'm a man!!, I'm not a woman!!”
Then he said,
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"Oh, I'm sorry"
and let me go with a smile.
For men with long hair, make sure you’re prepared to say this magical phrase in English:
"I'm a man!!, I'm not a woman!!"
If you found this article helpful or enjoyable, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee! 👈Click☕🙏
I’m a passionate blogger who loves diving deep into human history and sharing captivating stories about remarkable figures and events from the past. My blog combines engaging storytelling with beautiful illustrations, making history accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Currently, I write my blog while managing a full-time job. Balancing both limits the time I can dedicate to research, writing, and illustrations. With your support on Ko-fi, I can reduce the time spent on my main job and focus more on blogging, allowing me to increase the frequency of updates and bring you even more captivating stories.
Whether it’s a one-time coffee or a regular contribution, every bit goes directly into making history engaging and fun for my readers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through time. Let’s uncover the past together!
Human history is truly complex, isn’t it? There are countless websites introducing historical figures and events, but many of them are just plain explanations—not exactly exciting to read. On the other hand, reading books takes a lot of time and effort. That’s where I come in. Through "stories that are more engaging than explanations and shorter than books," I aim to bring the world’s history and humanity’s records to you in a more accessible and interesting way. If my stories inspire you to love history a little more, I’d be absolutely thrilled!
