karatepe

This archeological site dating back to late Hittite period is a marvel hidden in the woods, overlooking a beautiful dam lake. The excavations started back in 1940's, led by famous archeologist Prof Halet Çambel (in fact, there is a small, lovely house inside the woods where she used to stay during the excavations) whose bust welcomes the visitors at the entrance. The small museum at the entrance is full of exhibits not only from Karatepe but also from nearby excavations. But the most marvellous part of this place is the east and west gates of the summer residence of the Hittite king. It's on top of a small hill but walking through the paths leading there is in itself a great entertainment: fresh air, nature, silence... What differs this site from other Hittite sites is that, this is the only place where daily life is depicted on the stones. The tablets are written in 2 languages: hittite language and aramic.Make sure you go there with a knowledgeable guide as there are no signs, nor audio guides, nor books, nor booklets to guide you through the site. The site is very well preserved, the nature surrounding it with beautiful views of lake is stunning. At the entrance, locals are selling sandalwood ustensils, though a bit pricey, they make great souvenirs. Don't miss this place, it's one of a kind!!!

If you are in Kadirli, Osmaniye or Adana and if you like archeology, this is a place you should see with well preserved Hittite ruins and statues, in a very nice nature with a lake and pine trees. But be carefull, it will be very hot in July and August. The archeological sites around are Kastabala and Anavarza (Anazarbus). You can also visit the Hemite village, where the famous Turkish novelist Yasar Kemal was born, to feel Turkish village life in a nice nature with Ceyhan river and some castle ruins.

A one day rent a car tour for history lovers. The site Neo-Hittite citadel of Karatepe is now an open-air museum within the Karatepe-Aslantaş National Park. You can either follow the route Adana-Kadirli-Karatepe or the route Adana-Osmaniye-Karatepe. It is situated on a hilltop overlooking the Aslantas Dam Lake on Ceyhan River.The museum and North & South gates decorated with reliefs and lion and sphinx figures, and remains from 8th century BC were awesome. I admired these archaeologists (Bossert, Alkım and Halet Çambel) who excavated this site since 1947.If you have spare time your compass must lead you to the ancient city of Kastabala-Hierapolis 15 km from Karatepe, on the northern outskirts of the city of Osmaniye.

This is a place you need to go if you are nearby. It's up high on a wooded mountain. There is a small museum with some statuary and artifacts, and then a quiet loop pathway through the woods. Along the way are two areas with stelas, statutes, and hieroglyphyics from the Hittite period (700 B.C.). There are also city walls to explore. All of this overlooks a reservoir. There are picnic areas nearby and a vendor selling sandalwood utensils and bowls typical of the region. There is a Kilim coop nearby with excellent, reasonably-priced handmade kilim rugs.

Arkeolojik zenginliginin yanısıra restorasyonu, Turgut Cansever le başlayıp Nail Cakirhanla biten kazı evi ve kazı alanı örtüleriyle çok başarılı ve gezilesi.