In 1940 the city government gave the cistern to a museum to administer. Major renovations in 1985-1987 were conducted to prepare the cistern for opening to the public, which happened in 1987. It was restored again by the municipality between 2017-2022.

In 1985–1987, the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality carried out a comprehensive restoration and cleaning project, revealing iconic Medusa heads, which are considered one of the most significant examples of Roman sculpture (Basilica Cistern, Istanbul Heritage site, https://www.basilicacistern.gen.tr/history/).