Lagina
Visit Hekate In Lagina
When visiting the beautiful Stratonikea, you probably don’t realize another excellent ancient site not so far away. Lagina is only 15 km away and also has a lot to offer.
It was, in its day, connected with Stratonikea by a sacred road. Sacred because Lagina was the religious centre of its political sister town, Stratonikea. Lagina is a Sanctuary dedicated to Hekate.
It is a mysterious cult that is devoted to the goddess of witchcraft and magic, to the moon and the night, and the ghosts.
Enough, I think to pay it a visit, let the photos already give you a tour of the site.
Some Little Lionheads Sitting With A Sad Face At The Lagina Site
Exquisite Collection Of Artefacts In Lagina
The History Of Lagina
Lagina goes back as far as the Bronze age. But it became an important religious centre under the Kings Of Caria. When visiting Stratonikea, look at the inscriptions on the bouleuterion’s wall; they describe the religious festivals held at Lagina.
During this yearly event in honour of Hekate, since 81 BC, every four years, the key of the Hekate Temple was carried from Stratonikea to Lagina during a procession along that sacred road. The visiting worshippers entered the sanctuary through the Propylon to access the stoa to follow the rituals.
Welcome To Lagina Ancient Site
Lagina’s Archaeology Importance
Lagina is also an important site from an archaeological point of view because a pioneer in Turkish Archaeology, Osman Hamdi Bey, led the first research team on this site.
The excavations restarted in 1993 and continued until 2011.
Further research is now being undertaken since 2017.
Excavations At The Cella In The Temple Of Hekate
A lot of columns, stones and tablets scattered around on the site, surprises for everywhere.
Who Was Hekate?
According to the Pagan belief, Hekate was a goddess who had the key to the underworld. (remember the key ceremonies earlier)
In Greek literature, the oldest records of Hekate date back to the 8th Center BC with a poem. Hekate was a pre-Olympian goddess who stood by Zeus in the battle of gods and Titan.
With these credentials, Hekate gained certain privileges. Looked at as a strong guardian of humankind and a master of magic and witchcraft of the underworld. She is often depicted in stages as three persons with a torch, a key, a knife, or sometimes a snake.
Unique Hekate Temple
The Hekate Temple sits in the centre of the sanctuary with 11 Corinth columns on one side and eight on the other side. The temple is regarded as one of the most imported pseudo-dipteral in Anatolia. The temple on the site dates back to the 2nd century BC, but researchers found proof of older cult structures from 4 BCC.
Artefacts found at Lagina are displayed at the Istanbul Archaeology Museum in Istanbul.
Hekate Temple At Lagina
Part Of The Temple’s Facade With The Temple Behind
Overview Of The Hekate Temple At Lagina
Temple Of Hekate At Lagina Ancient Site
Lagina’s Stoa
Ruins Lying Around Everywhere On The Ancient Site
The Propylon Gate Is Monumental And The Nature Around Is Beautiful.
Lagina
The public does not know Lagina, so probably you will have the site to yourselves.
It is situated close to the power plant of Yatağan, but just far enough not to disturb the rural and natural feel of the site. With multiple structures in reasonably good condition, the Propylon, the Stoa and the Hakate Temple, and the remains of the Byzantine Basilica, Lagina is worth a visit.
This can quickly become your favourite ancient site.
Still Life With Columns
Mysterious Piece Of Artefact, Is It A Bath, Or The Base Of A Giant Column?
What To Expect
How To Get There: Private, rental car or public transport (check the map below).
Nearest Airport: Bodrum Milas Airport.
Parking: Yes.
Terrain: Easy.
Stroller: Yes.
Income: Free (at the time of our visit).
Facilities: Only toilets.
Best Time To Visit: All year, depending on the weather.
The Gate Of Propylon At Lagina Ancient Site
Lagina is not that much of the beaten track, but there is not all that much information available in English, so we hope you get a little inspired by this article.
Fig Trees And A Temple For Hekate
Practical Information
Lagina is easy to get to by car, it lies near the D330 connecting Yatağan to Milas. The site is well waymarked. With public transport, you take the minibus from Yatağan to Turgut and tell the driver to stop at Lagina.
Entrance at Lagina is free of charge (at the time of our visit). There are toilets on site.
Sun-Kissed Poppy Meets Antiquity
If you have any questions about a place, feel free to ask. You can send us a message through our contact page or leave a comment on our Instagram or Facebook pages.
You can also join our group Turkey Travel Photography on Facebook to share your lovely photos or experiences about Turkey.
Places Nearby
Stratonikeia, a well-kept secret in Southern Turkey (8 km)
Gökbel Valley, murals in a Jurassic landscape (12 km)
Gerga, hiking to mysterious sites (18 km)
Labraunda, a visit to the Sanctuary of Zeus Labraundos (20 km)
Beçin Castle, dominating the Milas’ plain (25 km)
Places We Recommend
Didyma
If you like to do things a little bit more relaxed, you can easily forget the golden beaches and stroll around in Didyma and, besides the stunning Apollo Temple, visit the tiny streets of the old village. (Read more)
Blaundos
The ancient city of Blaundos benefits from a spectacular location, situated on a horseshoe-shaped bend on the top of the hill, surrounded on three sides by the Grand Usak-Ulubey Canyon. (Read more)
Pergamon
The city was built on a challenging terrain that stretches along the slopes of Kale Hill to the Bakırçay Plain. Its strikingly steep theatre and three-terraced gymnasium are perfect examples of how existing natural rule can be integrated into urban planning. (Coming soon)
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