Karatepe-Aslantaş Open-Air Museum, Archaeological museum in Osmaniye Province, Turkey
Karatepe-Aslantaş Open-Air Museum preserves stone sculptures and fortification walls across a historical site within a national park. The ruins sit near the Aslantaş Dam reservoir and display the remains of an ancient fortified settlement.
The settlement was founded in the 8th century BC under King Azatiwada and was called Azatiwadaya. Later, Assyrian forces conquered the place and it declined.
The inscriptions carved here appear in two ancient languages: Phoenician and Hieroglyphic Luwian. These texts helped researchers decode writing systems that were used across ancient Anatolia.
The site is easy to walk through, with a circular path about one kilometer long connecting both ancient gates. Many stone sculptures remain at their original spots and have protective covers over them.
Two sphinx statues guard the northeastern gate, while the southwestern entrance features carved images of the gods Bes and Baal. These different guardian figures show how different religious traditions came together in one place.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
