A City Lost in Time, Now Rediscovered
Explore the Ruins of Sagalassos; Once-Glorious Roman City, Nestled in the Turkish Mountains
SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Sagalassos, a city established in the central region of ancient Pisidia, lies in southwestern Turkey, about 100 kilometers north of Antalya, on the western extension of the Taurus Mountains, which rise above 2,000 meters.
The Ruins of SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
In 1706, King Louis XIV of France commissioned Paul Lucas to visit the ruins of an ancient city. The city was rediscovered in 1824 by the British missionary Arundell, who read one of the inscriptions and identified it as Sagalassos, which had been mentioned in ancient sources.
Though Sagalassos is landlocked, the Roman imperial road Via Sebasté allowed landowners to export surplus grain, grapes, and olives overseas.
Red Slip Wares from SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Sagalassos also exported high-quality red-slipped ceramics, which were mass-produced starting in the Augustan period. In addition, logs from the surrounding pine forests were likely exported to Egypt for construction and shipbuilding purposes.
Perge and other Pamphylian port cities on the Mediterranean undoubtedly played a major role in Sagalassos' external trade. Similarly, it is known that many imported goods reached the region through these ports.
The Hellenistic Fountain, SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Ancient Sagalassos had many natural water sources hidden in the mountains. A significant portion of this water was used for the Bath-Gymnasium complex and the numerous nymphaions (monumental fountains), in addition to the needs of the city's population.
The Antonine Nymphaeum, SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The Antonine Fountain, with its rich decorations and statues in its niches, is undoubtedly one of the most important structures reflecting the city's prestige. It was built by the family of T. Flavius Severianus Neon around 160-180 AD.
Details from the Antonine Nymphaeum, SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
The fountain was restored between the years 1998-2010, and it's water supply was reconnected.
For most of its history, Sagalassos was a polytheistic city. Zeus, Apollo Klarios, Tyche, and later deified Roman emperors were honored with monumental temples, and religious festivals that were held in their names.
Ornamented Marble BlockThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
As Christianity spread in Late Antiquity, people transitioned from polytheism to monotheism. Temples were converted into basilicas, and depictions of pagan mythology were replaced with Christian symbols.
SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Sagalassos remained the main city of ancient Pisidia for centuries, but climate change, Persian and Arab raids, the bubonic plague, and earthquakes in the 6th and 7th centuries AD devastated the city.
The once-great city was reduced to a small settlement, but it survived until the 13th century.
SagalassosThe Directorate General of Cultural Assets and Museums of Türkiye
Click this link to read the exhibit on the ancient city of Ephesus.
Sagalassos Kazı Başkanlığı
