Nearby Yatağan, overshadowed by the thermal power plant, lie the ruins of Lagina ancient sanctuary. Their location, among the surroundings heavily damaged by industrial activities, paradoxically matches the characteristics of the goddess who used to be worshipped there. It was Hecate, the dark goddess of the underworld, of Anatolian origins.
Stratonicea is the place where Hellenistic and Roman structres stand side by side with Seljuk and Ottoman buildings. The most significant Turkish structures are situated near the main square of old Eskihisar village. Only the walls remain from the Turkish bath, dated to the 14th-15th century AD, i.e. the Anatolian beylik era, as its roof collapsed some time ago.
It may be hard to believe, but most of the well-known travel guides to Turkey do not mention Stratonicea. These unique ruins were once an ancient Carian city that was inhabited continuously from the 4th century BC to the 20th century AD. A walk among the ruins of the now abandoned city gives travellers a feeling of mystery and enchantment.
