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Istanbul's Basilica Cistern, one of the city's most visited historic landmarks, was temporarily closed to visitors on June 2 after it was evacuated and formally handed over to Türkiye's General Directorate of Foundations.
The closure began at 10 a.m. as the evacuation process got underway. Ticket booths were removed during the handover, leaving the underground monument closed to the public for the time being.
The Basilica Cistern, known for its historic underground structure and strong appeal among local and foreign visitors, had been under the management of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality before the handover.
Following the latest process, control of the site passed to the General Directorate of Foundations, a state institution responsible for properties linked to historic foundations.
The evacuation was carried out after a court process related to Law No. 5737 on Foundations. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality had objected to the transfer, but it was rejected by the court.
The decision was based on the assessment that the property fell within foundation ownership. As a result, the site was evacuated and handed over to the General Directorate of Foundations.
No official reopening date has been announced for the Basilica Cistern.
The historic site is expected to reopen to visitors after the General Directorate of Foundations sets up new ticket booths and completes the necessary arrangements.
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