Sagalassos Ancient City and Burdur City Tour

The Burdur Archaeology Museum, established in 1969 at its current site, replaced the former repository of ancient artifacts housed in the Bulguroglu School's library. Over the years, through archaeological excavations conducted in sites like Hacilar, Kuruçay, Höyücek, Incirhan, Kibyra, Kremna, Bubon, and Sagalassos, the museum has amassed a staggering collection of 70,000 movable exhibits, acquired through confiscations, donations, and purchases. Today, it stands as one of Turkey's most significant and affluent museums.

Upon entry, you will be greeted by the remarkable dancer frieze, once adorning the heroon atop the upper agora alongside the Antonius Nymphaeum in Sagalassos, showcased prominently on the ground floor. Flanking the entrance are busts of Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius, prominent Roman emperors, accompanied by individual legs believed to belong to each. These colossal statues of the emperors were unearthed during excavations in Sagalassos in 2007 and 2008.

Opened to visitors in 1965, Insuyu Cave holds the distinction of being the first cave accessible for public exploration. Its network of pathways spans nearly 600 meters, winding through both natural formations and human-carved tunnels, culminating in the cave's expansive main gallery. As visitors traverse the easily navigable main route and its branches, you will encounter a captivating array of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones. While historical records speak of numerous ponds within the cave, the proliferation of agricultural wells in the region has led to their eventual desiccation.

Just outside the cave there’s a restaurant, space for picnickers, and a playground. Whether Insuyu Cave is record setting, diabetes curing or not, it’s a beautiful cave perfect for families looking for a break along the Istanbul – Antalya highway as well.

Sagalassos stands 7 kilometers north of the Ağlasun District, nestled 1700 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Akdağ. During the Roman Imperial Period, it held the distinction of being the foremost city in the Pisidia Region. The majority of its structures trace back to the Roman era. The city's discovery dates back to 1706, credited to the French explorer Paul Lucas. As one ascends through the clouds, the city reveals its layout: at the entrance, residential quarters greet visitors, followed by baths, lime and metal furnaces, a lower marketplace, a fountain, and an odeon. Further upward, towards the north, residences line the right side, while notable landmarks such as the theater, the Neon Library, a Hellenistic fountain, a ceramic production hub, the central agora, a council building, a church, the heroon, a temple, and the Cladius gate unfold along the path. Its most striking feature is the magnificent Antonine Fountain.