Stratonicea, Archaeological site in Muğla Province, Turkey
Stratonicea is an archaeological site in Muğla Province, Turkey, preserving remains of an ancient city occupied from Hellenistic through Ottoman times. The site holds a theater, temples, colonnaded streets, and sections of defensive walls spread across open ground.
The city was founded around 270 BCE and grew under successive rulers, from the Seleucids to the Romans, with whom it kept close diplomatic ties. Byzantine and Ottoman structures were later added on top of older ones, layering the site with centuries of occupation.
The sanctuary of Hecate at Lagina, linked to the city, was a place where religious processions drew people from across the region. Votive reliefs and architectural fragments found on site still give a sense of how active this cult was.
The site covers a large area and is best visited on foot, so wear sturdy shoes as the ground can be uneven in places. Going early in the morning or late in the afternoon is a good idea, especially in summer when the sun is strong.
Part of the site sits within or next to the modern village of Eskihisar, meaning ancient walls stand right beside inhabited houses. This overlap between an ancient site and everyday village life is rarely seen so directly anywhere else.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
