Buried beneath the streets of Istanbul is the Basilica Cistern. Originally built by the Byzantines in 532 AD, the cistern was created to store large amounts of water for the imperial palace and the surrounding buildings, ensuring that the city could function even if its main water channels were disrupted. The cistern is supported by marble columns taken from old Roman buildings in the local area. Interestingly, two Medusa heads can be found at the base of two columns. One upside down and the other turned sideways, they are said to have been turned to counter the power of the Gorgons' gaze. One look and you'll be turned to stone! Sadly, hidden away from view, the Medusa heads were not on their own. Many Ionic and Corinthian columns can be found among a unique column featuring what is said to be a hen's eyes. After the Ottoman conquest, the cistern fell out of regular use and was forgotten by the local residents. The cistern would be rediscovered in 1545 by a Frenchman as he explored old Byzantine cites throughout the city. A few hundred years after his discovery, the cistern would be restored and opened to the public in 1987. Visitors can now enter the cistern and see hidden treasures from centuries long ago. For those who venture into its depths, the cistern serves as a time capsule showing how the city’s past continues to shape its present.