Sagalassos, Archaeological site in Ağlasun, Turkey
Sagalassos is an ancient city located in the Taurus Mountains of southwestern Turkey at an elevation between 4,760 and 5,580 feet (1,450 and 1,700 meters), featuring well-preserved ruins from Hellenistic, Roman, and early Byzantine periods that include theaters, temples, baths, and public buildings.
Founded around the fifth century BC, Sagalassos was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC and later flourished under Roman rule during the reign of Emperor Hadrian in the second century AD, before being abandoned in the seventh century following earthquakes, epidemics, and economic decline.
The city produced Terra Sigillata ware, a high-quality ceramic that was distributed throughout the Mediterranean Basin, and featured public structures such as the Neon Library, Antonine Fountain, and temples that reflected the adoption of Hellenic culture by its inhabitants.
The site is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM with an entrance fee required, and visitors can access the archaeological remains through guided tours and informational displays provided by local management and museum resources.
Belgian archaeologist Marc Waelkens has led excavations at Sagalassos since 1990, uncovering a colossal marble statue of Emperor Hadrian measuring 13 to 16 feet (4 to 5 meters) tall that was found toppled in a Roman baths complex.
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