Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source 4 places to visit in the central district of Osmaniye: Karatepe-Aslantaş Açık Hava Museum, Osmaniye Castle and Kastabala (Hierapolis) Ancient City. Plan your trip with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Osmaniye lies east of the Mediterranean Region, where the Çukurova meets the Amanos (Nur) Mountains. In antiquity, the Merkez district, in the eastern part of Cilicia, lay on the roads connecting Anatolia with Syria and Mesopotamia.
Osmaniye has a Mediterranean climate: summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild and rainy.
Osmaniye, with its geographical and strategic location, is the gateway to Eastern Anatolia. The passage of the Silk Road through the region increased Osmaniye’s importance. Atatürk visited the city and the people welcomed him with cries of “Yaşa!”. Osmaniye was a province between 1924 and 1933, and on 1 June 1933 it was again converted into a district. On 26 October 1996, the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye granted Osmaniye the right to become a province again.
The centre of the Osmaniye Cebel-i Bereket Sanjak was moved from Yarpuz to Osmaniye. The Fırka-i İslâhiye unit was assigned under the command of Derviş Paşa.
Last updated:
Castle and palace ruins from the Late Hittite period in the 8th century BC lie on the bank of the Ceyhan River. The gates decorated with lion and sphinx sculptures, and the Phoenician-Hittite bilingual inscriptions, played a key role in deciphering the Hittite language.
View on map
Photo: Zeynel Cebeci (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source The castle on the hill in the city centre dates from the Roman period. From the castle, which was restored in the Ottoman period, there are views of the city.
View on mapThe ancient city 10 km from Osmaniye was an important religious centre in the Roman period. Colonnaded street, theatre and temple ruins can be seen.
View on mapA plateau in the south of Osmaniye, in the Amanos Mountains at an elevation of 1,500 metres. With its cedar forests and cool air, it is a popular resting place in the summer months.
View on mapPrepared by cooking lamb with onions, tomatoes and peppers in a copper pan. It is Osmaniye's best-known local dish.
A sour soup made with wheat, yoghurt and local herbs, one of the distinctive flavours of Osmaniye cuisine.
Prepared by cooking lamb tripe stuffed with rice, minced meat and spices.
Karatepe-Aslantaş is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Late Hittite period. The bilingual inscriptions found here were decisive in deciphering Hittite hieroglyphic writing.
Held every year in September, the Peanut Festival is Osmaniye's most important cultural event. Peanut competitions, concerts and local product stalls are the main events of the festival.
The economy of Osmaniye is based on agriculture and industry. Peanuts, cotton and citrus are the main agricultural products. The organised industrial zone contains food processing and textile factories.
Adana Airport is 100 km away. Adana is 100 km away and Gaziantep is 150 km away. Intercity bus services run regularly.
The 4 highlights of Osmaniye Merkez: Karatepe-Aslantaş Açık Hava Museum, Osmaniye Castle, Kastabala (Hierapolis) Ancient City and Zorkun Plateau.
Osmaniye Tava, Tırşik Çorbası and Şırdan are the standout flavours at Osmaniye Merkez's tables.
Osmaniye Merkez is known for its Osmaniye Yer Fıstığı and Hitit Mirası. Osmaniye is Türkiye's largest peanut production centre. Peanuts grown in the Ceyhan Plain are a geographical indication product.
Adana Airport is 100 km away. Adana is 100 km away and Gaziantep is 150 km away. Intercity bus services run regularly.
Suggested visit length: 1-2 days. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.