Archaeologists have uncovered one of Turkey’s largest Roman odeons in the ancient city of Sagalassos (Greek: Σαγαλασσός), located in Burdur Province. The site, dating back to 3000 BC, is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List.
The structure was found during excavations near a 1,892-year-old fountain dedicated to Roman Emperor Hadrian. Once restored, the Sagalassos Odeon will rank alongside the great examples in Ephesus and Kibyra, placing it among the three largest in the country.
A Greek tradition under Roman rule
The odeon reflects traditions rooted in Greek culture. Odeons first appeared in classical Greece as roofed theaters used for music, poetry, and civic debates. The Romans later expanded the concept, and in Sagalassos, the structure served as a venue for both performances and council meetings.
Sagalassos, located in the Taurus Mountains near Burdur, Turkey, was a prominent ancient city founded during the 5th century BCE and became part of the Hellenistic Kingdom of Pergamon before being absorbed into the Roman Empire.
Under Roman rule, it thrived as a key urban center… pic.twitter.com/gq4wlNOKrC— Billy Carson II (@4biddnKnowledge) August 11, 2025
Dr. Düzgün Tarkan, deputy director of the excavation and lecturer at Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, described the find as central to understanding the city’s public life. “When uncovered together with the fountain and the square paved with small stone blocks, one of the most vibrant points of the city will be brought to light,” he said.
Four meters below ground
The remains are buried four meters (just over 13 feet) underground. Parts of the seating rows had been dismantled in the Byzantine period, but Tarkan said restoration could be carried out quickly, using other examples as models.
Capacity reveals the city’s population
The Sagalassos Odeon accommodated approximately 2,500 spectators, with an enclosed design that enabled events to continue even during rain or storms. The city also featured a much larger theater that seated between 9,000 and 10,000 people. From these numbers, researchers estimate that the city’s population reached between 35,000 and 40,000 in antiquity.
A leading city in Pisidia
Sagalassos was one of the principal cities of the Pisidian region, with its prominence dating back to the Hellenistic period following Alexander the Great’s campaigns. By the 2nd century, it became a Roman center of the imperial cult.
The Antonine Fountain (Sagalassos), Burdur – Türkiye :
Antonin Fountain is a historical fountain located in the ancient city of Sagalassos in the Ağlasun district of Burdur province, Türkiye.
It was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 – 180 AD,… pic.twitter.com/Ltlghe9tK7
— Archaeo – Histories (@archeohistories) November 3, 2024
Festivals blending Greek and Roman traditions drew thousands of visitors, reinforcing the city’s role as both a cultural and political hub.
New finds add to history
Excavations have also uncovered smaller artifacts, including a recently found statue that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will present. Tarkan said such discoveries add depth to the understanding of everyday life in the ancient city.
Heritage preserved for the future
When restoration is complete, the odeon is expected to shed new light on both the architectural legacy of the Greeks and the civic culture of the Romans.
“Thanks to the excavation and restoration works we are conducting, the rich heritage of Sagalassos will be passed on to both the scientific world and future generations,” Tarkan said.
The find illustrates how Greek traditions shaped Roman urban life in Asia Minor, with Sagalassos now emerging once again as one of the most vibrant centers of the ancient world.
