‘City of Gladiators’ Stratonikeia draws Eid holiday visitors
MUĞLA
The ancient city of Stratonikeia in southwestern Türkiye, known as the “City of Gladiators,” continues to attract visitors during the Eid al-Adha holiday, offering travelers a journey through thousands of years of layered history.
Located in the Yatağan district of Muğla province, Stratonikeia is regarded as one of Türkiye’s most remarkable archaeological sites, distinguished by its preservation of structures from multiple civilizations within the same settlement. The city, which once housed the region’s largest sports school in antiquity, became known as the “City of Gladiators” due to its historical association with athletic training and gladiator culture.
Excavation and restoration works are continuing across many parts of the ancient city, contributing to growing interest among both domestic and international visitors. Archaeologists working at the site have focused not only on monumental ancient structures but also on preserving the later historical layers that make Stratonikeia unique among Anatolian settlements.
