Osmaniye’nin İngilizce Tanıtımı
Area: 974 km²
Population: 154.629
Traffic Code: 80
The province of Osmaniye is a beautiful city with its fertile agricultural fields and its broad forests. The province of Osmaniye is an important tourism center with Karatepe, Aslantaş Open Air Museum and Ancient cities.
Districts: Osmaniye (center), Bahçe, Düziçi, Kadirli, Hasanbeyli, Sumbas, Toprakkale.
How to Get
Highway: The bus station is located in the city center.
Telephone of the bus station: (+90-328) 814 12 26 / 117
Railway: The railway station is located in the city center.
The telephone of the Railway station: (+90-328) 814 10 49
Sea Transportation: The sea transportation is executed via the İskenderun Seaport located at 75 km distance to the Osmaniye Province.
Air Transportation: Air transportation is possible via the airports located in Adana and Gaziantep provinces.
Where to Visit
CASTLES
The most important one is the Toprakkale castle located in Toprakkale district. The ruins of ancient Kınık city (Öranşar) are located in the north of the castle on Adana highway.
The ruins of Haruniye castle, Saman castle and Kurtlar castle are located in the Düziçi district and the ruins of Karafenk castle and Savranda castle at Kalecik village are located in Hasanbeyli district.
MUSEUMS AND ANCIENT CITIES
Bodrumkale – KastabalaCity: (Hierapolis) It is located in the borders of Kesmeburim Village and Bahçe Village which are at 15 kilometers distance to Osmaniye province.
The most important ancient remains that could be able to reach today in good condition in Kastabala are the avenue with pillars and its amphitheater with five thousand spectator capacity. Beside those, the other important ruins of the ancient city are two churches, the castle, the Roman bath , the stadium, the necropolis’ surrounding all around the city and the ruins of the aqueduct constructed over the Ceyhan river located approximately 5 km north-east of the city. Kastabala is one of the most important promenade areas and touristic places of Osmaniye province.
Karatepe – AslantaşOpenAirMuseum: The open air museum is located at the southeast of Kadirli district and is at 22 kilometers distance to the district, 30 kilometers distant to the Osmaniye Province and 130 kilometers distant to Adana province.
There are two burnt building ruins which are assumed to be the palace and the grain storage wells located on the hill. The castle has two main entrances which are located at southwest and northeast respectively. There are two statues of lions with broken pieces at the southwest entrance gate. At the left and right side chambers, there are reciprocal Finike (peg writings) and Hittite hieroglyph inscriptions located on the swarthy and light yellow, hard pieced basalt stone blocks in the style of wall plating depicting the daily living and religious activities in the form of various figure relieves (stone embossed designs) and similar inscriptions. The 3 meter long statue depicting the God of Storms is located inside the gate. At the southeastern gate, there are two reciprocal sphinxes with human heads and lion bodies. The left and right chambers contain the relief of the God of Sun and various other relieves together with the reciprocal Finike (peg writings) and Hittite hieroglyph inscriptions.
The Finike (peg writings) discovered in this ancient city had provided a key for the decryption of the Hittite hieroglyphs which were not been able to be decrypted wholly before. The Hittite inscriptions in the world had been primarily decrypted and read in this ancient city. After the decryption of these inscriptions, the entire hieroglyph inscriptions located in Anatolia extending to the date of BC 2000 was been able to read.
The ruins and findings of Karatepe – Aslantaş ancient city had been exhibited at the same location by founding an open air museum.
Telephone of the Museum: (+ 90 – 328) 719 20 73 – 719 20 03
Open hours to visit: 08.00 – 16.30
Osmaniye Karatepe-Aslantaş A Late Hittite Fortress: The fortress of Karatepe-Aslantaş (in the province of Adana, now Osmaniye and in the district of Kadirli) was founded in the 8th century B.C. by Azatiwatis, ruler of the plain of Adana as a frontier castle against the wild hordes lurking in the north. He named it Azatiwadaya. A caravan road leading from the southern plains up-to the Central Anatolian plateau, skirted it on the west, the Ceyhan river (antique Pyramos)- now the Aslantaş dam lake-on the east. Two monumental Tshaped gate-houses, flanked by high towers. Gave access to the citadel. An entrance passage between two towers led up to a double-leafed wooden gate, which swung on basalt pivot-stones, from there to two lateral chambers and further on into the citadel. In a holy precinct at the inner entrance of the southwest gate stood the monumental statue of the Storm-God on its double bull-socle. The inner walls of the gate-houses were adorned with sculptures of lions and sphinxes, inscriptions and reliefs, depicting cultual, mythological and daily-life scenes carved on blocks of basalt. A bilingual text in Phoenician and Hieroglyphic Luwian, the longest known texts in these languages, was inscribed on slabs of each gate with a third one in Phoenician on the Divine Statue, constituting the key for the final decipherment of the Hieroglyphs, (known in Anatolia since the 2nd mill B.C.), being thus reminiscent of the famous Rosetta Stone.
After the fall of the Hittite Empire (which ruled Central Anatolia in the 2nd mill B.C.), due to the invasion of the “Peoples of the Sea” (around 1200 B.C.), small kingdoms such as those of Malatya, Sakçagözü, Maraş, Kargamış, Zincirli, sprang up south of the Taurus mountain range. They were conquered and destroyed in the course of various Assyrian campaigns. The reign of Asatiwatas coincides with this period. His citadel was probably looted and burnt down to the ground by Salmanassar V around 720 B.C. or by Asarhaddon around 680 B.C.
Azatiwatas Speaks: I am indeed Azatiwatas,
The blessed of the Sun, the servant of the Storm-God,
Whom Awarikus exalted, king of Adanawa.
The Storm-God made me father and mother to the city of Adanawa,
And I developed the city of Adanawa,
And I enlarged the land of Adanawa,
both to the west and to the east.
And in my days the city of Adanawa had prosperity,
Satiety and comfort, and I filled the arsenals of Pahara,
I added horse upon horse, shield upon shield,
Army upon army, all for the Storm-God and the Gods
I crushed the arrogance of the arrogant, all the evil that was in the land I cast outside.
I erected mansions for my lordship,
I brought prosperity to my race,
And I sat on the throne of my father, I made peace with every king.
Kings considered me their father, for my righteousness, for my wisdom,
And for the goodness of my heart.
I built mighty fortresses on all my borders,
On the borders where there had been bad men, leaders of gangs, none of whom had been subservient to the house of Mopsos I, Azatiwatas put them at my feet.
I destroyed the fortresses there, I built fortresses in those places, so that the people of Adanawa might dwell in ease and in peace.
In the west
I subjugated mighty lands
Which the kings before me had not subjugated.
And I, Azatiwatas subjugated them, made them my servents.
And I settled them in the east of my land, Within my borders.
The people of Adanawa, too, I settled there. And in my days I enlargened the borders of Adanawa to the west as well as to the east, so that, in the places which had formerly been feared,
on the desolate roads where men would be afraid to walk, in my days women could stroll with their spindles. And in my days there was plenty, satiety, comfort and peace. And Adanawa and the land of Adanawa lived in peace and plenty. And A built this citadel,
And I gave it the name of Azatiwadaya, Because the Storm-God and the Gods directed me towards this,
So that this citadel might protect the plain of Adana and the house of Mopsos.
In my days there were in the people of Adanawa was plenty and peace,
In my days none of the people of Adanawa was put to the sword.
And I built this citadel, I gave it the name of Azatiwadaya, There I settled the Storm-God and I made sacrifices to him; annually an ox, in the season of ploughing a sheep, in autumn a sheep I sacrificed to him.
I sanctified the Storm-God,
He granted me long days, countless years and great, strength above all kings.
And the people who dwell in this land became owners of cattle,
herds, plenty (of food) and wine,
Their offspring was plenty, by the grace of the Storm-God and the Gods They rendered service to Azatiwatas and to the house of Mopsos.
And if any king among kings, or any prince among princes, or a person of renown,
Obliterates the name of Azatiwatas in this gate and puts here another name,
or even covets this city and destroys this gate which Azatiwatas made, and builds another gate in its place and puts his name upon it,
Whether he destroys this gate from greed, or from hate and evil,
Then may the God of the Sky, the God of the Earth And the Sun of the Universe and all the generations of gods obliterate this king, this prince or this person of renown from the face of earth.
Only the name of Azatiwatas is immortal in eternity,
Like the name of the Sun and of the Moon.
RELIGIOUS MONUMENTS
The Alacami (Kadirli) Mosque located at the city center and constructed in 5th century AC at the Roman period is the most important mosque of the province. The Ağacabey Mosque located in the Bahçe district is worth seeing.
Ala Mosque (Kadirli)
The mosque is originally a basilica belonging to the Roman period and is one f the rarest creations that could stand still since that period. The basilica was inspected to be affected from the style of Syria and was transformed into a church in 12th century with the assistance of the abscissa and in 1489 with the addition of a minaret and a niche, the structure was transformed into a mosque by the ruler of Dulkadiroğulları, Alaüddevle. The structure is an important religious structure which belongs to both the Roman period, Byzantine period and also the Ottoman Period. The lower sections of the mosque contain burial chambers belonging to the Byzantine period.
CAVES
The Çançan Grave Caves located at the Karapınar locality are estimated to be from the Roman period.
HIGHLANDS
Kadirli-Maksutoğlu Highland
Transportation: The turn off is at the 12 km. mark on the Kadirli – Andırın – Kahraman Maraş highway. Turn north (left) and follow the gravel road for 33 km. In the summer months, at certain times, you can find minibuses going from Kadirli.
Description: Along the 33 kilometer road, are several mountain villages such as Akarca Highland, Koçlu (Avluk) Village, Paşaoluğu highland, Yoğunoluk (Katıralağı) village, Değirmendere and Tahta villages. At this mountain plateau, which has had some infrastructure improvements, there is electricity and telephone services as well as a few simple country tea houses, markets, butchers, a doctor and some small restaurants offering kebab and other meat dishes.
The plateau, which is frequented by the locals who want to take advantage of the clean cool air up there, is surrounded by a forest of cedar and fir. Both the local highland houses made of wood and the newer reinforced concrete buildings are covered with apple, pear, cherry, sour cherry and juniper trees.
These high mountain plateaus are home to an astounding variety of flowers, insects and birds. Yaşar Kemal’s famous novel “İnce Memed” was set in these mountains. If one starts at the highland of Maksutoluğu and passes through the highlands of Çardak – Gürlevik – Turna – Söğütoluğu – Dokurcun -Beyoluğu and Çığşar, they will come to Yedi gözler, the headwaters of Savrun Creek.
Accommodations-Food and Drink: Camping is an option here as is renting some of the houses that belong to the locals.
Kadirli-Bağdaş and Almacık Highland
Transportation: It is a 57 km. drive from Kadirli on a gravel road. There are minibuses from Kadirli in the summertime.
Description: The 57 km drive is very scenic as it passes through several nearby villages and goes right through the forest, finally arriving at the Bağdaş Highland, which is located between two mountains. The hills are covered with pine, juniper, fir and cedars. There are stone and wood houses constructed in the local highland style. There is electricity, markets and the ever-present tea house.
Accommodations – Food and Drink: Bring a tent and other basic necessities.
Kadirli-Beyoluğu-Savrun Gözü-Dokurcun and Çiğşar Highlands
Transportation: It is a 65 km drive along a gravel road from the town of Kadirli. In the summer there are minibuses that leave from Kadirli.
Description: These mountain highlands found nestled up in the foothills of the Dibek Mountains, the northeast extension of the Taurus mountains, are an exquisite natural paradise with their juniper, fir and cedar forests, daunting cliffs, and high mountain meadows covered with beautiful wild flowers.
With birds of prey continually soaring above their wild precipices, these mountain highlands were the stomping grounds of the famous writer Yaşar Kemal’s ‘İnce Memed’.
In the highlands along the banks of Savrun Creek are beautiful orchards: apple, pear, cherry, sour cherry and mulberry. This is a good camp site with lots of water. At the Çığşar highland there are some very nice rocky projections called Deli Öbek and Harman Kaya, which are ideal for the rock climbing enthusiasts.
Accommodations-Food and Drink: Bring a tent and other basic necessities.
Osmaniye-Zorkun and Olukbaşı Highlands
Transportation: These highlands are located on the lower slopes of Mt. Nur in the southeast corner of the district of Osmaniye. It is a 26 km drive on an asphalt road. During the summer there is a municipal bus route between Osmaniye and Zorkun. There are also minibuses and taxis.
Description: Sixteen kilometers out there is the Olukbaşı highland. It is an attractive place surrounded with pine trees and all of the local houses are traditional wood houses typical of the mountains. The Zorkun highland, on the other hand, is a expansive area. This pine and juniper plateau has traditional wood houses as well as a number of interesting villas with very original designs. The infrastructure up here in this mountain village has been mostly completed and there is a traveling health clinic and police here in the summer. People from the nearby towns of Osmaniye, Ceylon and Kadirli often escape to this mountain village. There are markets, tea houses, restaurants, meat markets, green grocers and a bakery.
Accommodations-Food and Drink: There are places to shop and buy food and drink. The mountain cabins here are used by the local people.
Hasanbeyli-Alman Pınarı Highland
Transportation: It is a 4 km drive from Hasanbeyli along an asphalt road.
Description: Among the oldest mountain villages in the area, Alman Pınarı is situated among fruit orchards and vineyards.
Accommodation – Food and Drink: There are simple restaurants, a tea house, a bakery and some small markets. Camping and picnicking are allowed.
PRESERVED AREAS
Aslantaş National Park
Location: The park is on the river Ceyhan, around 40km northeast of Osmaniye, and west of Gaziantep in the southeastern Mediterranean region.
Transport: It can be accessed via the Adana – Kadirli, and Adana Osmaniye highways.
Highlights: The park has a fascinating history and the Karatepe-Aslantas museum was the site of an area inhabited for almost 4000 years. The Hittites, who settled in Kisilirmak in Anatolia in 2000 BC, established a kingdom here in 1750 BC, and shortly afterwards it became the most important kingdom in the east. The Hittite Empire was demolished in Hattusas, and in 800 BC they governed this area led by King Assatiwada.
Some of the most interesting ruins are the lion sculptures at the north and south border gates between Karatepe and Aslantas, which can be seen from Domuztepe at the opposite shore of the Ceyhan.
Most of the ruins have been restored and are exhibited at the open-air museum at the site. Another important feature is the archaeological excavations that have unearthed many facts about Hittite hieroglyphics. Other interesting places to visit date back to the Roman and Byzantine empires, including colourful mosaics found on the ground of a temple near the village of Pinarozu, which is considered to be a unique piece of art. The museum is open between April and November.
Plant life includes cluster pine, tamarisk and oak trees. Species of wildlife inhabiting the park include roe deer, pigs, jackals, rabbits, foxes and partridges, with carp in the River Ceyhan.
Facilities: Tents and caravans are the only accommodation possible in the park.
ORNITHOLOGY AREAS
NurMountains
City: Hatay, Osmaniye
Provinces: Dört yol, Hassa, İskenderun, Kırıkhan, Belen, Osmaniye Merkez
Surface Area: 21,5
Altitude : 1000 – 2262 m
Protection: partially
Main Characteristics: immigration pass, forest
Geography
Its climate is Mediterranean Climate.
History
The lands surrounding the city was inhabited by a nation called Lelegs in the Calcolithic and Early Bronze Age. In the following centuries, Great Hittite State, Asurian civilization, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, Seljukians and finally Ottoman Empire reigned in the region.
The city had declared to become a province after the declaration of the Republic but had been demoted to the status of a district in 1933.
The old right had been returned in 24 October 1996 and Osmaniye had attained the status of province.
Don’t Leave Without
– Visiting the Zorkun plateau,
– Visiting the Karatepe Open Air Museum,
– Buying the pileless carpet painted with root paints and sold in the Karatepe Pileless Carpet Cooperative,
– Tasting the ground peanut of Osmaniye,
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