Castabus – Kastabos (Hisarönü)

Access to Kastabos located on the Eren Mountain in Hisarönü Village can be done by automobile or minibuses departing from Marmaris Bus Terminal.

Molpadia the Healer, referred to as Malpedi in some sources (meaning divine melody; sacred songs; hymn), who played a role in establishment of the Kastabos Health Center, whose base ruins exist today in Hisarönü Village (Kastabos, Kastabus, Erine, Rina) and the temple which was built for the gifts presented to her, was honored with all Khersonessos by being called as Hemithea by local people. The belief in Hemithea has led the neighboring cities and distant civilizations to visit her to offer gifts.

Kastabos Hemithea Temple is in the pine forests on the Pazarlık Hill on the Eren Mountain at the height of 275 m climbed in one hour in the east of Hisarönü Village on the left hand side of the road leading from Marmaris to Bozburun. From here until Bodrum, wavy coves can be seen (65-kilometer).

During shallow excavations during 1959-1960 carried out by Prof. John Manuel Cook, it is understood from the inscription discovered near Gölenye Village that the sanctuary is affiliated to Bybassos. In addition, Cook discovered two written documents, lion's head, a worn torso, a clay lamp as well as Hellenistic stone reliefs and remains of houses.

According to linguists, the name of the city is Kas Taba because it means level of the temple in Carian and Luwian languages. A marble statue of female which is larger than usual was found among mixed stones. Head and shoulders of the statue are broken. All sides of this beautiful place where there are many statue feet are found are dug up randomly and plundered. The plains of the temple and ruins of the city walls draw attention.

Right below the summit above the valley, the seat rows on the steep place are the remains of a theater. The festivals and festivities called Kastabeia held until the 2nd century BC in the Kastabos Civilization known for its health center were abondened during the Roman period. Kastabos is a temple town connected to Bybassos (the village of Orhaniye, Marmaris) is connected to a temple town. Bean and Cook indicate that Amos is also referred to as a town affiliated with the deme of Bybassos.

Though built according to the Ionic order, Hemithea Temple also resembles the Doric order. On long sides, there are 11 columns, whilere there are six columns on each of the other sides. It is predicted that the temple was built with the financial assistance provided by Bybassos from Rhodes in the 4th century BC. As a result of impoverishment of Rhodes, the festivals faded along with the importance attached to the temple.

Molpadia was called Hemithea, semi-goddess, since was entering people’s dreams, treating diseases and healing childless women, and respected by the people of Kastabos.

A health center and a temple were established in Kastabos for offering of voew for her. As a healer, Hemithea was loved and considered so much that the temple and center built made up for her became the only place that was not harmed and looted in Caria region invaded by different civilizations. Of course, unfortunately, the remains here are plundered by treasurers today.

In recent excavations and research carried out by German archaeologists, Kastabos and Bybassos have become more accessible. We now have more information about these two cities. What we are supposed to do is to give twice as much value to our history as given by foreign experts.