Architecture - Istanbul - page 362

Carved Medusa head, Basilica Cistern ( CLICK HERE )
GEORGE TSAFOS/GETTY ©
Constantine the Great, the first Byzantine Emperor, named his city 'New Rome'. And
like Rome it was characterised by great public works such as the stone aqueduct ( CLICK
HERE ) built by Emperor Valens between 368 and 378. The aqueduct fed a series of huge
cisterns built across the city, including the Basilica Cistern ( CLICK HERE ).
Like Rome, the city was built on seven hills and to a grid pattern that included ceremo-
nial thoroughfares such as Divan Yolu and major public spaces such as the Hippodrome (
CLICK HERE ).