Rowing through the massive columned Cistern (known as the Basilica Cistern during the Roman Period). Thought to have been built during the reign of Justinian I, the age of Glory of Eastern Rome, also called the Byzantine Empire (after the Nika Revolt in 532 AD). Having been long-forgotten, it was re-discovered in 1545 and was used to water the gardens of the Topkapi Palace. Holds 80,000 cubic metres of water - has 336 marble colums each 9 metres high and the water was provided from the Belgrade Forest, 19km north of the city via aqueducts. Used in the 1963 James Bond film 'From Russia with Love'.