Inverted Medusa Heads in the Basilica Cistern
The Medusa Heads are an essential feature of the Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir located in Istanbul, Turkey. The two giant heads of the mythical Gorgon Medusa were used as column bases in the cistern. They were likely incorporated into the cistern for their aesthetic value and symbolic significance. The Gorgon Medusa is a well-known figure in Greek mythology, and her image was often used as a protective symbol in ancient times, intended to ward off evil spirits and protect sacred spaces. By incorporating the Medusa Heads into the cistern, the builders may have been seeking to imbue the structure with this protective power.
Inverted Medusa Heads in the Basilica Cistern
The Medusa Heads are an essential feature of the Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir located in Istanbul, Turkey. The two giant heads of the mythical Gorgon Medusa were used as column bases in the cistern. They were likely incorporated into the cistern for their aesthetic value and symbolic significance. The Gorgon Medusa is a well-known figure in Greek mythology, and her image was often used as a protective symbol in ancient times, intended to ward off evil spirits and protect sacred spaces. By incorporating the Medusa Heads into the cistern, the builders may have been seeking to imbue the structure with this protective power.