Mystery the Pillar of Tears Basilica Cistern

Mystery the Pillar of Tears Basilica Cistern

The Column of Tears the most striking structure in the Basilica Cistern was created using the same casting process as carving on the columns and takes its name from the resemblance of these drops of water to tears falling on the surface Ancient texts indicate that the basilica's cistern had a garden surrounded by a row of colonnades facing Hagia Sophia The basilica's name comes from the fact that the cistern historically stood beneath a large public square called the Stoa Basilica on the first hill. The square previously housed a basilica built in the early 3rd or 4th centuries during the reign of Emperor Byzantine Justina I Over 7,000 slaves were recorded constructing the ancient underground cavern in the 6th century

The well built with 52 stone steps leading down to a walled cistern was constructed using 4-meter-thick firebricks coated with waterproof mortar The 4-meter-thick firebricks were sourced from the Eğrikapı water supply center in the Belgrade Forest 19 kilometers north of the city They flowed through the 971-meter-long Valens Aqueduct and the 115-meter-long Malova Aqueduct originally built by Emperor Justinian. The Basilica located beneath the large public square of the Stoa on the First Hill of Constantinople was built during the early Roman period as a center for trade and art

Legend has it that the blocks were tilted sideways and inverted to counteract the Gorgon's gaze The bases of the two columns at the northwest corner of the well are carved with Medusa's face The origins of the two heads are unknown but they are believed to have been brought to the well after they were dismantled from late Roman buildings There is no evidence to suggest that it was ever used as a pillar foundation and most of the pillars in the cistern appear to have been recycled from the ruins of old buildings The cistern's existence was forgotten except by locals who continued to use its water until 1565 when the French traveler Petrus Gillius left a record of the cistern depicting a boat being rowed between pillars and fish swimming beneath the boat

This legendary lake located somewhere in the far northwest of Africa is generally considered to be the northernmost point of the region Feresides recorded that the face of Medusa turned humans to stone Medusa's severed head was a stone death that no human could look at and live according to Apollodorus The three Gorgons could turn to stone whoever saw it The supposed location of the Gorgons dwellings varies according to ancient sources According to Hesiod the Gorgons lived far west beyond Oceanus where the Titans and rivers that circled the Earth were near its source During the night the Hesperides lived Gorgons lived in Oceanus on the rocky island of Aeschylus's Sarpedon. They lived far to the east across the turbulent sea on the Gorgonian plain of Sistene

The legend purifies the power of the Gorgon's gaze These limestone blocks are tilted sideways and inverted The Gorgon's head appears on Athena's shield, giving her the power to protect her from all weapons The Gorgon's blood is believed to have healing and injurious powers and to instill great fear in enemies The ancient Gorgons and Gorgonians were depicted as hideous but over time they were depicted as beautiful maidens The three fearsome sisters Steno Euryale and Medusa are said to be the daughters of Phorcys and Seto They lived alongside their elder sister Grae and could turn anyone who looked at them to stone Euryale and Steno were immortal