Sagalassos - 2004 Visit - Travel Guide in Photos

Overview of the excavations of the archeological site of Sagalassos in June 2004

Sagalassos is easily visited from Egirdir by first taking the regular bus to Isparta. Get off at Isparta's Çarşı terminal where dolmuşes run every 45 minutes to Ağlasun. At Ağlasun, just ask around and bargain for a taxi or private car to drive you up to the site and back. Ask for at least 1 hour waiting time.

The most prominent of the restored buildings is the Doric or Hellenistic Fountain House. It was built during the 1^st century BC as a U-shaped portico with a courtyard open towards the south. Near the beginning of the 3^rd century AD the fountain house was incorporated into an esplanade surrounding it on three sides. After the earthquake of 518 AD the courtyard was partly filled and the water distributed by terracotta pipes over the city.

North of the Hellenistic Fountain house are the remains of the Neon-Library. If asked, the guardian will open the building. The Roman library was founded by T. Flavius Severianus Neon shortly after 120 AD and is probably related to the Celsus library in Ephesus. The library and Hellenistic Fountain House were restored by the R. Lemaire Center for Restoration of the K.U. Leuven in 1997.

Another prominent landmark is the Northwest Heroon, a 14 m tall structure composed of a Corinthian naiskos on top of a plain socle. The Heroon was dedicated to a deified human being and was erected during the second half of the reign of Emperor Augustus (25 BC - 14 AD). Inside the monument stood a more than 3 m high marble statue perhaps representing a youthful Alexander the Great who conquered the city in 333 BC. Shortly after 400 AD the monument, together with the Doric Temple next to it, was incorporated into a late Roman city wall.

The Antonine Nymphaeum (160-180 AD) is an impressive monumental fountain erected between 160-180 AD in the shape of a theatre facade with six aediculae. The building was repaired in the 4th century AD and decorated with reused statues. All statues are on display in the Burdur Museum. The building collapsed around 650 AD. Restoration is ongoing.

More information on Sagalassos, the excavations and restorations is available on the website of the Sagalassos Archeological Research Project.

Here are the photos of Sagalassos taken during our visit in 2004.
Click on the thumbnails to see a greater picture