Istanbul’s bazaars and mosques appear in "From Russia with Love" and "Skyfall"; Bond navigates the Grand Bazaar, the Basilica Cistern and other historic sites.

Beneath Istanbul’s historic city streets lies the Basilica Cistern, a vast Byzantine-era water reservoir carved from stone and supported by 336 marble columns. Built around 532 AD under Emperor Justinian I, it once supplied the Great Palace and surrounding districts with water, a testament to the engineering prowess of Constantinople. The ambient hush, cool air, and soft glow from underwater lights give the chamber an otherworldly atmosphere where reflections ripple across the mirrored water. This subterranean sanctuary has long inspired filmmakers, with its enigmatic corridors and towering columns lending a sense of timeless intrigue to scenes set in Istanbul.

Hagia Sophia rises at the heart of Istanbul as one of the world’s most enduring monuments. Born in 537 as a Byzantine cathedral, its vast dome and soaring arches have witnessed empires, conversions, and centuries of religious and cultural exchange. Its exterior silhouette—massive central dome framed by slender minarets—defines the historic peninsula’s skyline and invites reverent awe as visitors approach from Sultanahmet Square. The atmosphere blends ancient stone with modern devotion, making the exterior a timeless backdrop for film and photography that celebrate Istanbul’s crossroads of civilizations.