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The Theodosius Cistern is one of many ancient cisterns of Constantinople that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. The cistern was built by Roman Emperor Theodosius II (r. 402–450) between 428 and 443 to store water supplied by the Valens Aqueduct. Water from the Aqueduct of Valens was redistributed by the Theodosius Cistern from its original supply to the Nymphaeum, the Baths of Zeuxippus and the Great Palace of Constantinople.
The cistern area is about 20 by 40 m, and the roof with 45 sail vaults is supported by 32 marble columns about 11 m high. All column capitals are of Corinthian order with stylized acanthus leaves bearing impost blocks above. The marble of the columns was brought from Marmara Island. The interior walls of the cistern are covered with waterproof plaster, and its corners are curved to withstand water pressure.
During the Ottoman Empire era, cisterns were not in use because still water was considered as unhealthy. Yet sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century, its existence was completely forgotten after a large private estate was built on the site, which was used by the municipality services from 1912 on, and it lay hidden for many years.
In 2010, the cistern was rediscovered under the building when Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality demolished the annex building. Like the Basilica Cistern and the Binbirdirek Cistern, it is once again open to the public.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.