ISTANBUL – Pagans, especially Witches, are well-acquainted with Hecate. The goddess is a towering figure in our spiritual and magickal community. Frequently called upon in rituals, she is a central presence in modern Witchcraft, including Wicca and other Neopagan traditions. Celebrated as a protector, a wellspring of wisdom, and an embodiment of power, Hecate holds a vital role for many, often regarded as one of the foremost guardians of our community.
As many know, Hecate’s sphere is vast and deeply layered. She is closely linked to magic, Witchcraft, the night, the moon, ghosts, and necromancy. Her origins are ancient, predating the Olympian gods, with her worship possibly rooted in early Anatolian or Thracian religious traditions. As a chthonic deity, Hecate is intrinsically connected to the underworld, the shadowed facets of existence, and the processes of transformation. These multifaceted attributes have solidified her prominence in both ancient religious practices and modern spiritual traditions.
Muğla’da bulunan ve Pagan inanışının merkezi kabul edilen 3 bin yıllık Lagina Hekate Kutsal Alanı’nda yürütülen kazı çalışmalarında, Hekate’nin meşalesi ve figürlü başlık bulundu https://t.co/tBNBdbJeY5 pic.twitter.com/pjBLESkCvf
— Anadolu Ajansı (@anadoluajansi) December 5, 2024
In September, Turkiye announced a major cultural project: the restoration of the Temple of Hecate at Lagina as part of the broader “Heritage to the Future” project, which aims to preserve the nation’s historical treasures. This 2,100-year-old temple, located in the Yatağan district of southwestern Muğla province, is nestled within the Lagina Hekate Sanctuary, one of antiquity’s most revered sacred sites. The restoration project was unveiled by Prof. Dr. Bilal Söğüt, the head of the Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavation Team, who is spearheading the efforts to revive the temple’s glory.
🗿Lagina Hekate Kutsal Alanı’nda Hekate’nin meşalesi ve figürlü başlık bulundu.
📍 Muğla
💢 Pagan inanışının merkezi kabul edilen 3 bin yıllık Lagina Hekate Kutsal Alanı’nda, Hekate’nin meşalesiyle figürlü Korinth sütun başlığı gün yüzüne çıkarıldı.https://t.co/vuSj2VlwHT pic.twitter.com/iDW8VPmd4q
— gdhtarih (@gdhtarih) December 5, 2024
The temple’s story is steeped in history. Excavations at Lagina began in 1891 under the direction of Osman Hamdi Bey, a prominent Ottoman archaeologist. The findings from those early digs, including invaluable artifacts, were transported to the Istanbul Archaeological Museum. This week, the restoration team built upon that legacy, aiming not only to preserve the physical site but also to illuminate its cultural and spiritual significance.
Image by AA (Anadolu Ajansı) Via X
This week, the team announced finding Hekate’s torch and Headdress during excavations at the Lagina Sanctuary. The Corinthian column capital adorned with Hecate’s torch, dates back to the 2nd century CE. Prof. Söğüt explains that these findings provide crucial insights into the cult of Hecate, ancient architectural practices, and the social life of the period.
“In the works in the field, we first found Hecate’s torch embroidered on a column,” Söğüt stated. “Various Corinthian column capitals from the Hellenistic and Roman periods were also unearthed. A figured Corinthian capital from the 2nd century AD was found for the first time, and we believe that more discoveries will follow. These findings promise significant results in understanding the Hecate cult and the grandeur of the ancient site.”
Revealing the Sacred Road
One of the primary goals of the restoration is to uncover the sacred road leading to the temple. According to Söğüt, the team is painstakingly excavating the ceremonial gate and entrance structures to recreate the ancient experience of entering the sanctuary. “We had made some determinations about how the entrance was. With the new excavations, we are conducting excavations to reveal how people entered the sacred area when they left Stratonikeia in ancient times and what structures were on both sides of the entrance road.”
Even more exciting for future pilgrims to the temple, “When visitors arrive, they will first be able to approach the entrance gate and then proceed along the sacred area to the temple itself,” he noted. “We aim to restore the structure by scanning and documenting each block uncovered during the excavations. Once completed, visitors will witness the magnificence of the gate as it stood in ancient times and follow the path to the ceremonial area.”
The team faces significant challenges, including the removal of a four-meter-thick soil layer that has accumulated over centuries. “There is an approximately 4-meter-high soil filling, and we are carefully digging it with our hands,” Söğüt explained. “Although erosion has taken a toll, we are confident that we will uncover beautiful and historically significant artifacts.”
The site’s historical importance is underscored by the pioneering efforts of Osman Hamdi Bey in the late 19th century. Bey’s work laid the foundation for the current restoration, which seeks to balance historical preservation with modern accessibility. While the artifacts discovered in his era now reside in Istanbul, the ongoing project at Lagina aims to make the site itself a living museum, allowing visitors to experience its spiritual and architectural splendor firsthand.
Image by AA (Anadolu Ajansı) Via X
The process of reconstructing aspects of the temple is rekindling the ancient connection to a goddess who continues to inspire devotion and reverence. By preserving this sacred site, Turkiye is not only safeguarding its cultural heritage but also honoring a deity whose influence transcends time and geography.
As Prof. Söğüt and his team continue their work, they are mindful of the site’s enduring significance. “We are uncovering artifacts that will illuminate not only the religious practices of antiquity but also the broader cultural context of the time,” he remarked. “Our mission is to ensure that this sacred site remains a testament to its historical and spiritual importance for generations to come.”
The restoration of the Temple of Hecate is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of ancient traditions and the ongoing efforts to preserve them.
“We will restore the structure by scanning and drawing the blocks found in the excavations one by one. When the works are completed, visitors will see the magnificence of that gate in ancient times and will go to the ceremonial area,” Söğüt said.
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