Stratonikeia Ancient City Situated just 7 kilometers west of Yatağan District in the Muğla Province, the ancient city of Stratonikeia boasts a rich and captivating history. Originally founded in the 8th century BC with the names Khrysaoris or Idrias, the city was later renamed Stratonike in honor of Antiochus I's wife, who was also his mother-in-law. Throughout its long existence, Stratonikeia came under the control of several major civilizations, including the Seleucid Empire, the Macedonian Kingdom, and the Roman Empire. It also spent a period under the rule of the Byzantine Empire before being recognized as a titular episcopal see in Anatolia. In the 11th century AD, Turkish tribes settled in Stratonikeia, and the area remained under the rule of various Turkish principalities for many years. During the era of the Ottoman Empire, the city continued to be inhabited. However, following the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1922, a devastating earthquake in 1952 led to the evacuation of its remaining population. Later, the discovery of valuable coal reserves caused mining operations to displace the residents once more. Despite these disruptions, visitors today can still observe traditional village houses intermingled with the ancient ruins, reflecting Stratonikeia’s deep-rooted past. Located in Eskihisar Village within the Muğla Province, Stratonikeia was laid out on a grid-based urban design and showcases a wide range of remarkable architectural features. Among its highlights are the fortified city walls, a grand fountain, and a vaulted gateway that once linked the city to the sacred site of Lagina Hekate by way of a 20-kilometer-long road. Additional noteworthy remains include a colonnaded street, an expansive gymnasion, a bouleuterion (council building), public bathhouses, a Greco-Roman-style theater, an ancient cistern, a necropolis, and temples honoring Hekate and Zeus. Constructed predominantly from white marble, the city reflects Roman opulence and even housed a renowned gladiator school that trained fighters for arenas across the empire. Stratonikeia (Eskihisar) stands out as a rare settlement that brings together features from various historical eras. Thanks to its continuous habitation and well-preserved layout, a modern village exists right atop this deeply historic location. This ancient city is home to outstanding architectural works from the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman Imperial, and Ottoman periods. Stratonikeia showcases some of Turkey’s finest examples of civic and monumental architecture, including an elegant marble city, extensive bath complexes, majestic city gates supported by massive limestone columns, and decorative fountains. The city's exceptional preservation of these structures makes it one of the most intact ancient sites in the region. In recognition of its universal cultural significance, Stratonikeia was officially included in the UNESCO Tentative List in 2015. If you have any questions or would like more information about Stratonikeia Ancient City, feel free to contact us via email at [email protected] or simply reach out to us on WhatsApp. We’ll be happy to assist you as soon as possible.