From zipping through the colorful chaos of the Grand Bazaar to descending into the haunting beauty of the Basilica Cistern, this episode takes you deep within Istanbul. Once lost to time, the cistern was stunningly restored from 2020 to 2022 and is now home to eerie legends, two Medusas, a “weeping” column, and the most frightening sculpture I’ve ever seen. 😱Some even believe parts of the cistern are haunted…

Show Notes

• 🎥 YouTube Short: My mad dash through the Grand Bazaar — pure Istanbul chaos.
• 🎥 YouTube Short: Me showcasing the Weeping Column and the spooky subterranean art in the cistern.
• 🎥 Bonus: A vegan baklava taste test (near Galata Tower) filmed right after this visit.
• 🎥 Ferry POV: Ended the day with a glimpse of the Ortakoy Mosque and then gliding across the Bosphorus Strait at night—don’t miss the glowing Bosphorus Bridge.
• 🎬 Film Throwback: The iconic clip from “From Russia With Love”, filmed inside the Basilica Cistern (known locally as Yerebatan Sarnıcı).
• TRAVEL TIP: If you have time, walk through the Grand Bazaar before the Cistern. I found they paired together well.
• TRAVEL TIP: Be sure to take time to appreciate the Weeping Column in the Basilica Cistern, toward the middle of the space. You can’t miss it, actually. It’s quite moving.
• SUPPORTERS: Stay tuned for some eye-popping photos of the stunning lighting (and shocking art) of the Basilica Cistern, coming on Wednesday to my Patreon, of course.
• 📸 You can follow my Patreon for free to submit questions for future episodes, get member-only exclusive episodes, plus exclusive photos and video: https://patreon.com/hellocrusoe
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