Egirdir was one of our two stops in the way towards Cappadocia. Rather than driving 7 or more hours to reach Cappadocia from Pamukkale directly, we preferred to take the opportunity of visiting a few places alonw the way.
In this first part of the trip our stops were Lake Salda and Sagalassos, besides Egirdir itself.
Lake Salda is situated in the Yeşilova district of Burdur Province, approximately 100 kms South East from Pamukkale, about 1h 30m drive, It is a crater lake formed by volcanic activity. It is known for its unique geological features, including its high magnesium content, which contributes to the lake's striking blue color and the formation of white magnesium-rich beach sediments.
Due to its stunning turquoise waters and white sandy shores, Lake Salda is often referred to as the "Turkish Maldives".
Despite the warning signs, we enjoyed a quick swim in the lake. The water was nice and refreshing. I believe the main reason for the advice of not entering the lake is due to the mud that is abundant close to the shore. This is often believed to have beneficial properties with conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. And we actually saw several people applying the mud to their skin. But at the same time it creates a soft, unstable surface that can behave like quicksand.
While we were walking along the lake shore, we experimented this phenomenon first hand, sinking knee-deep in the mud.
Anyhow it was a nice stop in our trip towards Egirdir.
Along the way, we stopped for lunch at ZeVo Cafe Restourant. Very nice small restaurant, with traditional Turkish food at a very reasonable price. They also have a small shop where they sell lavender products that they grow in their fields (absolutely inexpensive). Like in many not touristic places English was hardly spoken, but Google translator helped for basic communication.
Our second stop, before reaching the destination of the day, was the ancient city of Sagalassos.
Sagalassos is situated at an altitude of 1,450 to 1,700 meters, offering a unique combination of natural beauty and historical significance. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rugged mountains and lush vegetation.
It was established around the 5th century BCE and became a prominent city in the region. It was inhabited since at least 3000 BCE, with evidence of continuous occupation through various periods, including Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras.
During the Hellenistic period, Sagalassos was part of the Kingdom of Pergamon and later the Seleucid Empire. It gained prominence due to its strategic location and fertile surroundings.
The city flourished under Roman rule, particularly from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. It was an important urban center known for its architecture, culture, and economy. The Romans enhanced the city's infrastructure, building monumental structures, aqueducts, and baths.
Sagalassos continued to thrive during the Byzantine era until it was gradually abandoned in the 7th century CE, primarily due to earthquakes and the changing political landscape.
Systematic excavations at Sagalassos began in the late 20th century, led by Belgian archaeologists. These efforts have uncovered a wealth of artifacts and provided valuable insights into the city's history and daily life.
The site's remote location has helped preserve many structures and artifacts, making it one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Turkey. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 2009.
The main highlights of Sagalassos are
- The theatre: built into a hillside, is a significant structure that could accommodate around 9,000 spectators. It offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- The Roman Baths: one of the most impressive bath complex in Turkey, showcasing the city's importance and the Romans' advanced engineering skills.
- The Agora: the upper and lower agoras served as the city's main public squares, surrounded by shops, temples, and administrative buildings.
- The Nymphaeum: the Antonine Nymphaeum is a grand fountain structure dedicated to the nymphs and other deities, adorned with statues and elaborate carvings. It is the symbol of Sagalassos
- The Bouletarion: a council house that was used for meetings by the city's officials and that is an excellent example of civic architecture from the Roman period.
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