Serefiye Sarnici

This basilica has a light mapping show which takes 1 hour. It is reaaly amazing. It has 2 parts, you can choose only one too but I recommend both show.

Name: Theodosius Cistern ( in Turkish “Serefiye Sarnici” What: Cistern (water depo) Where: Cemberlitas train station near to Sultan Ahmet , Pierre Lotti street Ticket price: 180 Turkish lira - single ticket ( one show included) ; 270 Turkish lira - double ticket ( two shows included - 1st 11 minutes, 2nd 6 minutes) Opening hours: 9:00 am-19:00 pm Last show is in 18:00 pm

Sound and light show felt cliched and a little underwhelming. Seemed a bit of a tourist trap although good to see the cisterns (we had meant to go to the Basilica cistern).

Today we went to basilica cistern first & it had info boards through out in English. Then we came here. We spent 30min max inside(did the 2 show option). It is smaller & DID have an elevator option. The “shows” were art/light projections inside accompanied by music. There is NO written or historical info. While the staff were nice getting our tx, overall my husb & I were disappointed with our visit. Before the exit, there is a coffee shop attached that has bathrooms BUT ONLY if you buy something from THEM! Your cistern tx does NOT count, even though they are part of the building/in order to exit. The advantage they have over basilica cistern is only that they stay open later(we caught their last shows)

Absolutely stunning cistern.. Great light show.. But €17 per person for 25 minute visit is ridiculously expensive.. All children over 6 are charged full price. Really just not worth it.. Such a shame