The Lost Treasure

The Cistern of the 1,001 Pillars

Tourists today can no longer visit one of Constantinople’s most fascinating historic sites: the famous “Cistern of the 1,001 Pillars.” This ancient structure was once a major attraction and a powerful reminder of the city’s Roman and Byzantine past.

The cistern was originally built during the reign of Emperor Constantine to store water for the city. It is a huge underground reservoir, measuring about 195 feet long, 167 feet wide, and 27 feet deep. The ceiling is supported by a dense forest of stone columns, which gave rise to the popular belief that there are 1,001 pillars, though the actual number is slightly different.

A Vital Water Supply for the Ancient City

In ancient times, the cistern could hold enough water to supply the entire population of Stamboul (the old part of Constantinople) for around ten days. It was a crucial part of the city’s water system.

However, by the year 1850, the cistern was no longer used to store water. By then, modern aqueducts had been built to carry fresh water to various parts of the city, replacing the need for underground cisterns.

From Water Storage to Storage Rooms

After the cisterns were drained, they were sometimes used by the Ottoman government as storage spaces for supplies. Over time, many of these cisterns were abandoned and forgotten. Some of them, including the Cistern of the 1,001 Pillars, were later used by Armenian manufacturers who made items like carpets and ropes. Since these businesses needed space more than light, the dark and large cisterns suited them well. The Armenian workers used these spaces without paying rent because the buildings were no longer in official use.

A Dark Chapter The Massacre of 1896

Tragically, in 1896, a Turkish mob entered the cistern during the massacres targeting Armenians in Constantinople. The attackers killed between 60 and 70 Armenian workers inside the cistern. Their bodies were never properly buried, and according to reports, they remain there to this day. Because of this dark and painful history, the cistern is now closed to visitors and is not considered a pleasant place to see Guided Tour Ephesus.

Children of the Victims A Carpet Factory Today

As a heartbreaking result of the 1896 massacre, around 2,000 children were left orphaned. Many of these children are now employed in a carpet factory located in the suburbs of Constantinople. This fact serves as a reminder of the human cost of past violence and the ongoing struggles of the survivors.