Editing Basilica Cistern (section)

=== 1985–1987 works ===
The first major modern restoration of the Basilica Cistern was undertaken by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality between 1985 and 1987.<ref name="Goksu2018" /> More than 50,000 tons of silt were removed from the reservoir, uncovering the Medusa-head column bases.<ref name="IBBMiras2022">{{cite report |title=Yerebatan Sarnıcı Müzesi: Daha Derine |publisher=İBB Miras / Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality |year=2022 |type=Exhibition brochure and restoration report }}</ref> Elevated wooden walkways were introduced, allowing the structure to open to the public as a museum in 1987.<ref name="Freely2004">{{cite book |last1=Freely |first1=John |last2=Çakmak |first2=Ahmet S. |title=Byzantine Monuments of Istanbul |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 }}</ref>