Located in near the Aegean resort city of Bodrum, the city of Bargylia is on sale for $8.3 million, in an effort to protect the ancient archaeological site from decay and antiquities looters. The property has been privately owned since 1927. One of the city's shareholders told Turkish newspaper Hürriyet that the owner is seeking the government help to step in and preserve the ancient ruins.
The 330-acre city dates back 2,500 years ago and is classified as a Grade 1 archaeological site. Ancient ruins like the city’s theatre, acropolis (an ancient citadel), fortification walls and necropolis (cemetery) are all in need of preservation. Being that the site is Grade 1 archaeological site, no construction is legally permitted. However, under new ownership, the city can be downgraded from Grade 1 status and new construction could theoretically take place.
This isn't the first attempt to sell the city. In 2015, the city was also on the market, and the price has since been slashed by $2 million. Archeologists hope that the Culture and Tourism Ministry will purchase the land so that the ancient ruins can be properly preserved.
H/T: Curbed
(Photo by Andrew Butko via Wiki Commons)
