From 1990, the ancient city Sagalassos of Aglasun, Burdur in Turkey has become a major archaeological research project led by Marc Waelkens. The monumental city center is now exposed; four major restoration projects are completed. The project also undertakes an intensive urban and geophysical survey, excavations in the domestic and industrial areas, and an exhaustive survey of the territory. The first study documents a thousand years of occupation from Alexander the Great to the seventh century while the latter has established the changing settlement patterns, the vegetation history, and farming practices, the landscape formation and climatic changes during the last 10,000 years.
While the signboards present useful information about the site; if you are lucky enough; you might get guided by someone from the archeology team especially during July or August when they are on duty.
It might be better call or contact in advance about the conditions of weather or road and visiting hours (08:00 – 18:00). Early morning or late afternoon would be a better timing considering the heat in summer where at the site you will enjoy the gentle breeze that we recommend to stay up to 4 hours of time.
What to See in Sagalassos
Sagalassos lies at about 1,500 m in the Taurus Mountains, above the town of Ağlasun, and the setting is breathtaking. The city was abandoned after an earthquake in the 7th century, and so its monuments were buried rather than reused. The best known is the Antonine Fountain on the Upper Agora, rebuilt with its original stones and once again filled with running water. The theater, the Roman baths, the library and the heroön of the Lower Agora are also worth seeing.
Many of the finds, including fragments of colossal statues of Roman emperors, are displayed in the Burdur Museum, which is worth a visit on the way.
Combine it with
Sagalassos is about two hours from Antalya, and it fits well on a journey between Antalya and Pamukkale, with a night at Lake Eğirdir or in the Lake District. Combine it with Perge and Antalya for the classical sites of the south.
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