‘City of Gladiators’: Türkiye’s Stratonikeia restores Roman bath columns for tourism

Archaeological excavations in the Roman bath courtyard of the ancient city of Stratonikeia, known as the “City of Gladiators,” have led to the restoration of columns, bringing them back to life for tourists to experience.

This remarkable achievement is part of the ongoing preservation efforts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stratonikeia with significant Roman heritage

Stratonikeia, one of the largest marble cities in the world, has been a focal point for archaeological research since excavations began in 1977.

The city, with its rich history spanning from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras to the Mentese Beylik, Ottoman, and Republic periods, continues to reveal new findings year after year.

Professor Bilal Sogut, Head of the Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavation Team, shared the progress made at the site.

“We have been conducting archaeological digs, restorations, and surveys on a variety of ancient structures, including the Roman bath complex,” he said.

The recent work in the Roman bath area focuses on the palaestra, or the sports area, which has been excavated in detail over the last two years.

Restoring the ancient glory of the Roman bath complex

In the recent excavations, the team uncovered 36 columns from the bathhouse’s courtyard. “Last year, we completed the excavation of the columns and all associated materials,” Professor Sogut explained.

“With the intact materials from these columns, we’ve successfully reconstructed them, placing their upper structures back in place.”

Visitors to the site will now be able to walk through and admire the complete Roman-era columns, along with their decorative elements, offering a glimpse into the past.

The project has unveiled layers of history, spanning from the first to the seventh century A.D., reflecting various additions and alterations to the structure over time.

Special project: ‘Heritage for Future‘ initiative

This restoration effort is part of the Heritage for Future project, which aims to protect and preserve Türkiye’s ancient treasures for future generations.

Professor Sogut emphasized the significance of the location within Stratonikeia, which is home to three major baths and holds particular importance in the city’s history.

“Stratonikeia’s Roman bath has undergone all the crucial touches needed to restore it to its original form, making it a special spot within the city,” Sogut added.

The restoration has been supported by multiple organizations, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the General Directorate of Cultural Assets and Museums, the Turkish Historical Society, Mugla Governorship, ISBank and Pamukkale University.