Estambul fuera asediada”, explica la historiadora Catalina de la Torre. “Tampoco era la única, ya que hay evidencias de que existían en la capital cerca de 80 subterráneas, así como algunas al aire libre”. Construida en el año 532, bajo el imperio de Justiniano, el Palacio Sumergido (como también es conocida esta cisterna) podía albergar 100.000 metros cúbicos de agua en su particular laberinto de columnas de mármol de nueve metros de altura, reutilizadas de antiguos edificios y monu- mentos, distribuidas en 12 filas de 28 pedestales cada una. “La mayoría de las piezas de esta columnata tiene capite- les jónicos y corintios, aunque también hay algunos dóricos”, afirma De la Torre. “Las más singulares son las dos que cuen- tan con la cabeza de Medusa, una de las tres Górgonas de la mitología griega de la que se dice que convertía en piedra a aquellos que la miraban. Por eso, según cuenta la leyenda de esta peculiar cisterna, los bloques decorados con su rostro están orientados uno boca abajo y el otro de lado para evitar la maldición”. Un relato lleno de fantasía que, sin embargo, aún hoy nos invita a descubrir este lugar, donde la magia del silencio y la belleza absoluta todavía es posible. ENG The dim light, the coolness of the water, and the unu- sual sight of an underground forest of marble columns sup- porting a brick vault create an atmosphere of mystery that captivates visitors to the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul (Turkey). It is not surprising that cinema and literature have found in this place the perfect setting for spy movies (yes, James Bond himself was here in From Russia with Love) or fast-paced bestsellers (it is impossible to forget the last scene of Dan Brown’s Inferno). “It was not created to be admired, but for the practical purpose of supplying water to the Great Palace of Constantinople and other buildings in case the city was besieged,” explains historian Catalina de la Torre. “Nor was it the only one, as there is evidence that there were around 80 underground cisterns in the capital, as well as some above ground.” Built in 532, during the reign of Justinian, the Sunken Palace (as this cistern is also known) could hold 100,000 cubic metres of water in its unique labyrinth of nine-metre-high marble columns, reused from ancient buildings and monu- ments, arranged in 12 rows of 28 pedestals each. “Most of the pieces in this colonnade have Ionic and Corinthian capitals, although there are also some Doric examples,” says De la Torre. “The most unique are the two with the head of Medusa, one of the three Gorgons of Greek mythology who was said to turn those who looked at her into stone. That is why, according to the legend of this peculiar cis- tern, the blocks decorated with her face are oriented with one upside down and the other sideways to avoid the curse.” A story full of fantasy that, even today, is an invitation to discov- er this place, where the magic of silence and absolute beauty is still possible. estambul © Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images Antiguamente, la Cisterna Basílica podía recorrerse en barca. // In the past, the Basilica Cistern could be explored by boat. estambul Vuelos // Flights: Air Europa programa un vuelo diario entre Madrid y la ciudad turca, a partir del 7 de julio. Conocer sus joyas bizantinas están más cerca que antes. // Air Europa operates a daily flight between Madrid and the Turkish city, starting on July 7. Discovering its Byzantine treasures is now easier than ever. www.aireuropa.com