The Byzantine cistern known as Tekir Ambarı ("tabby warehouse"). In Byzantine times, Seleucia (as Silifke was then known) had as this cistern as the hart of an excellent water supply system. Carved out of the rock below the local fortress, water was distributed throughout the lower town by a system of pipes connected to the cistern. Its total water capacity was 12,000 tonnes. It's made of regularly cut stone blocks, with eight niches on its longer sides, and five niches of its shorter sides. This design prevented leakages and gave the cistern a monumental look. A spiral staircase at the eastern corner provided access to its bottom. Its dimensions are 150 feet by 75, and 35 in depth.