Sagalassos Ancient City
Sagalassos is so close to the sky that it is called "the city between the clouds." Located on the high slopes of the Taurus Mountains in the Ağlasun district of Burdur, this ancient city is a magnificent legacy that has survived from thousands of years ago to the present day. Let us explore this mysterious city together!
Where Is This City Between the Clouds?
Sagalassos is situated at an elevation of 1500 to 1700 meters above sea level, at the foot of Akdağ. It is so high that as you walk through the city you can feel as if the clouds are accompanying you. The reason for building the city on these steep mountains was to protect it from enemies.
One of the most important cities of the region known in antiquity as "Pisidia," Sagalassos is deeply integrated with nature and offers a magnificent landscape. Even today, when you reach this altitude, it becomes very easy to understand why people in antiquity chose this location.
The Famous Fountain That Never Stops Flowing: The Antoninler Fountain
The most captivating structure in the city is undoubtedly the Antoninler Fountain. Built approximately 1800 years ago, its most astonishing feature is that its water still flows today just as it did in antiquity. This sparkling water originates from natural springs in the mountains. The fountain is adorned with exquisite marble statues. The original statues are now preserved in a museum, but the fountain itself still stands in the square with all its grandeur. When you stand in the square before the fountain, you can imagine the conversations ancient residents had while filling their water vessels.
Sagalassos Antik Kent(Kültür Portalı)
Dancing Girls and Colossal Statues
As you explore Sagalassos, you will encounter monuments called "Heroon," built in honor of heroes. On one of these monuments, you can see reliefs of girls holding hands and dancing. It seems as if these girls have continued dancing with the same joy for thousands of years. Additionally, this city contains colossal statues of Roman emperors reaching up to five meters in height. Even a single head of one of these statues is as tall as a child! These statues provide clear evidence of how wealthy and significant Sagalassos once was.
Sagalassos Antik Kent(Kültür Portalı)
The Ancient Pottery and Ceramics Factory
Sagalassos was famous not only for its buildings but also for the ceramics it produced. The people living here in antiquity crafted exquisite bowls, plates, and cups using local clay. These ceramics were so high quality that they were shipped by ship to every corner of the Mediterranean. In other words, Sagalassos was one of the world’s largest "plate and bowl factories" of its time. Even today, excavations continue to uncover numerous fragments from this ancient production.
What Can We See Today?
When visiting Sagalassos today, you can see a large theater, a library, and the ancient council building. Archaeologists—scientists who study ancient remains beneath the soil—have been working here for years, uncovering the city’s secrets. If you wish to see the colossal statues and magnificent artifacts unearthed from the excavations, you must visit the Burdur Museum. Since 2009, Sagalassos has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, recognized as a treasure that must be protected by the entire world.
A Journey Through Time
The name of this city first entered history when one of the world’s most famous commanders, Alexander the Great, conquered it. After this event, which occurred approximately 2300 years ago, the city reached its golden age during the Roman Empire. Especially under the reign of Roman Emperor Hadrian, Sagalassos became the cultural and artistic center of the region. Most of the colossal statues and ornate buildings in the city were constructed during this "golden age." However, over time, the city fell silent and was abandoned due to major earthquakes and epidemics.
