Ancient Greek City Bargylia for Sale - $7m

The Ancient Greek city of Bargylia, dating back to the 5th century BC and located in Asia Minor near Gulluk Bay on the northern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula, has been on the market for at least ten years. The initial price of 22 million Turkish Liras ($10 million USD at the time) was repeatedly reduced. It remains privately owned by multiple shareholders, as it has been since 1927.

There are extensive ruins at Bargylia, including the remnants of a temple, a theatre, a defensive wall and a palaestra.

The ancient city of Bargylia was said to have been founded by Bellerophon in honour of his companion Bargylos, who had been killed by a kick from the winged horse Pegasus. Bargylia was an important religious center, famous for the Temple of Artemis Kindyàs. Artemis Kindyàs and Pegasus often appeared on the city’s coinage.

The city is a Grade 1 archaeological site. A newspaper reported that since no buyer had been found the price has been dropped again.

The ancient city of about 81.5 acres has been falling into disrepair. “We hear the sounds of treasure hunters at night, but we cannot do anything out of fear” a local said.

A long-abandoned monastery in Bargylia now serves as an animal shelter and cows graze among the ruins. A proper archaeological dig has never been performed at Bargylia so it is unknown what treasures lie there.