The Kastabala Ancient City is located within the borders of modern-day Osmaniye Province, in what was once the historical region of Cilicia. The city appears in coins minted during the reign of Seleucid King Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175–164 BCE) under the name "Hierapolis." This designation refers to the long-standing worship of the goddess Artemis Perasia in the city. During the Roman Empire, Kastabala became an important urban center where commercial, cultural, and religious activities flourished.

^{Kastabala Ancient City - Osmaniye Governorship}

Geographical Location and Structural Features

Kastabala is situated approximately 12 kilometers north-northwest of Osmaniye city center, near the Ceyhan (Pyramos) River and between the villages of Kesmeburun, Bahçe, and Kazmaca. The city is established on a rocky outcrop overlooking a small plain. Its urban core, surrounded by defensive walls, was constructed during the Roman Imperial period (2nd century CE). Prominent structures within the site include a colonnaded street, a theater, Roman baths, churches, and the so-called Bodrum Castle.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Kastabala is recognized as a cult center for the goddess Artemis Perasia. Ancient sources mention the presence of a sacred precinct dedicated to her. The geographer Strabo reported that priestesses of Artemis Perasia would walk barefoot over hot coals as part of their ritual practice, a rite believed to have taken place in this city.

Archaeological Research and Conservation

Since 2009, archaeological excavations and scientific studies have been carried out at Kastabala Ancient City. These efforts have revealed that the site experienced continuous settlement from the Late Neolithic-Early Chalcolithic periods (5th millennium BCE) through the Middle Ages. The excavation and restoration work is conducted with the permission of the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.