The Basilica Cistern

This long 140 m and broad cistern byzantine of 70, could contain 80.000m3 of water. water arrived by the  Hadrien and Valens aqueducts. Built by Constantin in IVe century and increased by Justinien, the vault is supported by 12 lines of 28 high columns of 8m recovered in pagan temples. With the bottom of the cistern, two heads of gorgones are used as support for the columns:

These gigantic heads of Gorgones were placed at back, as a sign of contempt for the pagan worships.
They come from the temple of Didymes:

   
The temple of Apollo at Didymes                       Head of Gordones at Didymes

texts and photographs : Stephane Mugnier

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