Sagalassos – Ağlasun, Burdur

Sagalassos – Ağlasun, Burdur

High on the slopes of the Taurus Mountains, at an altitude of 1,450 to 1,600 meters, the ancient city of Sagalassos commands a breathtaking view over the Ağlasun valley in Burdur. Once the proud metropolis of Roman Pisidia, its remote, high-altitude location led to its remarkable state of preservation, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. Today, it stands as one of the most complete and best-understood ancient cities in the Mediterranean.

History: The City of Emperors

While the area has been inhabited for over 12,000 years, Sagalassos enters the historical record with its fierce resistance against Alexander the Great in 333 BCE. The city's golden age, however, arrived under Roman rule. It became a particular favorite of Emperor Hadrian, who declared it the "first city of Pisidia" and the center of the imperial cult for the region. This imperial favor ushered in an era of immense prosperity and a construction boom that defined the city's monumental character.

Sagalassos began to decline after 500 CE, due to a combination of factors including a catastrophic earthquake in 590 CE, epidemics, and economic instability. By the mid-7th century, the grand city was largely abandoned, its pristine ruins left to the mountain landscape.

A Model of Modern Archaeology: The KU Leuven Project

Since 1990, Sagalassos has been the subject of a large-scale, interdisciplinary research project led by KU Leuven (the University of Leuven, Belgium). This project is world-renowned for its scientific rigor, combining archaeology with paleo-environmental studies, genetics, and geology to create a holistic picture of the city and its territory over millennia. Their pioneering work in conservation and anastylosis (the reassembly of ruined monuments from their original stones) has brought parts of the city back to life.

Exploring Sagalassos: A Journey Back in Time

  • The Antonine Nymphaeum: The jewel of Sagalassos, this monumental fountain in the Upper Agora has been meticulously restored and once again flows with water from the mountain springs. Built between 160 and 180 CE, its intricate sculptures and cascading waters were a symbol of the city's wealth.
  • Theatres and Public Squares: A magnificent Hellenistic-Roman theatre, seating 9,000, is carved into the mountainside. The city features two agoras (public squares), which were the commercial and civic hearts of the city, surrounded by honorific columns and grand buildings.
  • The Roman Baths: A massive bath complex, one of the largest in Asia Minor, demonstrates the high standard of living and advanced engineering enjoyed by the citizens of Sagalassos.
  • The Neon Library: Adorned with a beautiful mosaic floor depicting the Trojan War, the library was a center of learning and culture, built around 120 CE.
  • Sagalassos Red Slip Ware: The city was a major producer of high-quality ceramics, known as Sagalassos Red Slip Ware, which was exported throughout the Roman Empire.

Sagalassos offers more than just ruins; it provides a vivid, almost complete, portrait of a prosperous Roman provincial city, from its grand public monuments to the details of its daily life, all set against a stunning mountain backdrop.

Sources:

Location Information

Latitude:37.676902
Longitude:30.518807
Open in Google Maps