Restoration underway for 2,100-year-old temple of Hecate in Türkiye

A 2,100-year-old temple dedicated to Hecate, considered the goddess of crossroads, doors, night, magic, witchcraft, and ghosts in classical mythology, is being restored in the Yatağan district of Muğla, Türkiye. Located in the 3,000-year-old Lagina Hecate Sacred Area, the restoration work involves reassembling blocks related to the upper structure of the naos, the temple's most sacred area, and the surrounding columns. Professor Dr. Bilal Söğüt, head of the Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavation Team, stated that excavation, restoration, and drawing work at Lagina continues year-round. He noted that Lagina is one of the two religious centers of the ancient city of Stratonikeia, approximately 8.5 kilometers away, and that having the temple dedicated to the important ancient goddess Hecate in Lagina makes the sacred area even more significant. Söğüt highlighted that this is known to be the largest sacred area and temple dedicated to Hecate from the ancient period. He added that during the Ottoman period, Osman Hamdi Bey conducted some of the first excavations in Western Anatolia here between 1891-1892. The current work includes both excavation and drawing, as well as temporary anastylosis—reconstructing the structure from discovered blocks without adding new elements. Söğüt explained that they place blocks from around 2,100 years ago back into their original positions, including those in the naos and the surrounding peristasis columns, in stages. He emphasized that the work is part of the Future Heritage Project, truly leaving a legacy for the future.