[2] The cistern was built by Roman Emperor Theodosius II (r. 402–450) between 428 and 443 to store water supplied by the Valens Aqueduct.

Water from the Aqueduct of Valens was redistributed by the Theodosius Cistern from its original supply to the Nymphaeum, the Baths of Zeuxippus and the Great Palace of Constantinople.

The interior walls of the cistern are covered with waterproof plaster, and its corners are curved to withstand water pressure.

[1] Yet sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century, its existence was completely forgotten after a large private estate was built on the site, which was used by the municipality services from 1912 on,[2] and it lay hidden for many years.

[4] The 360-degree projection mapping sysytem integrated in the cistern structure offers the visitors an extraordinary museum experience.