Adiyaman Where To Visit

Ancient Cities

Arsameia Ruins (Nymphaios Arsameia): It is understood from the Inscriptions of King Antiochos I, that Arsameia was built in the first quarter of the Second Century BC, by the order of Arsemez (ancestor of Commagene) at the east of Kahta River, facing the Old Kahta Castle . It was the summer capital and the administrative centre of the Kingdom. On the east ceremony way an embossed relief of Mithradates, above the rite platform , displays Herakles shaking hands with Mithradates. In front of the rite platform is an inscription in Greek known as the biggest inscription found in Anatolia. A tunnel beginning at the front of the inscription deep in to 158 meter and also at the west of the inscription a similar rocky vestibule exists. Tomb temple and Palace of Mithradates Callinichos take place on the platform. Arsameia ruins are 60 km to Adıyaman. New Castle: New Castle is located nearby Kocahisar Village which is 60 km to Adıyaman. New Castle was built by the Commagenes and used together with Arsemeia. Romans and Mamluks restored the Castle and finally in 1970's the castle was partly repaired. In the castle are a bazaar, a Mosque, a dungeon, water canals, ruins of pigeon loft and inscriptions . A water canal flawing from the castle down through to Nymphois was bound to Arsameia by a tunnel. It is still possible to reach the water through the water canal which has an 80 meter length. Derik Castle: It was built on a hill of 1400 m altitude near the Datgeli village on the Sincik Highway. Estimated to be built by Roman Empire in 70 AC, and used by them till 300 AC, the castle, houses a huge temple and is known as the holy place of the region. Besides, the ruins of Temenos which were built during the period of Commagenes, are placed nearby the castle. Gerger Castle (Arsameia of Euphrates): The castle is located in the west shore of Euphrates (Fırat) , 85 km to Adıyaman's Kahta County, can even be dated to Late Hittite Period. The castle was constructed by Arsames, the ancestor of Commagenes. Being built on precipitous rocks,the Gerger Castle is divided into two sections as the lower castle and upper castle and at the west walls of the castle is an embossed relief of King Samos.In the Castle which is also used during Islamic period are shops, a Mosque and water cisterns. Perre Antique City: The ruins of Perre Antique City are located 5 kilometres to Adıyaman city centre. The ruins are remained in Pirin Village, include approximately 200 cave tombs and a settlement place. This necropolis and its vicinity dated at Antique Age, was an important settlement place of the Commagene period, however especially during Roman Period it became a developed city. The ruins consist of gates decorated with embossed reliefs and tomb rooms that are engraved in rocks and connected to each other .

Nemrut Dağı

At the junction of the East and West civilisations, Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. It was unknown until 1881 when an Ottoman geologist discovered these 10 metre-high stone heads, archaeological work began in 1953 to uncover their history. Nemrut Dağı has since been a significant attraction, with thousands coming at sunrise and sunset to see the stones in the best possible light. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks in the country. In addition to the statues, the entire site includes art from the Commagene civilisation, the Eskikale (Old Castle), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge. Most people use the nearby towns of Malatya, Kahta or Adıyaman as a base, and the road to the summit is only open from mid-April to mid-October because of heavy snow the rest of the year.

Mound Tumulus and Monuments

Karakuş Tumulus (Women's Monument Tomb): Located at Adıyaman-Kahta enterance in south-west of the National Park ,the Monumental Tomb was built by Commagene's King Mithradates II and was dedicated to his mother Isas. Because of the symbol of eagle on the top of the columns, it was named as Karakuş(black bird) Tumulus. There were four columns in each east, west and south directions, however today only two at east, one at west and one at south remain. On the east columns are ruins of lion and eagle statues, on the west columns ,on the other hand, grounds a relief of 'shaking hands' and on the ground remain pieces of lion statue. Karakuş Tumulus determined as the entrance of Mt Nemrut is also located in the National Park. Sofraz Tumulus: 45 km to the city centre and 15 km to Besni country. Placed at Üçgöz (Sofraz) village. The Tomb having 15 m height was covered by shattered stones and debris. Sesönk (Obelisk): The Monumental tomb is located at 33 km south-east of Besni district and was built by Commagene's King Mithradates II on Kızıldağ Mountain.The tomb was surrounded by 3 columns, each having 10 meters height. On these columns are embossed figures of women, men and lions . Karadağ Tumulus: 5 km from Adıyaman ,Karadağ Tumulus lies on the slope of Karadağ Mountain . It has a rock tomb consisting of two sections. Beştepeler: 25 km from Adıyaman, inside the Ilıcak village borders are 6 tumulus tombs that are covered by hoarded stones. It is estimated that these tombs were built for royal family members of Commagene Kingdom . Malpınarı Rock Inscription: Located approximately 35 kilometres from Adıyaman at the Malpınar locality. There is a hieroglyph inscription engraved on natural rock and settlements carved on rocks, which are all dated to the late Hittite Period.

Adıyaman

Nemrut (Kahta): It is 103 km east from Adıyaman. It was formed with accumulation of crushed rocks on a main rock of tumulus. Terraces are formed with smoothing the main rock at east, west and north of the tumulus;moreover, god statues and relieves are arranged in colossal Greko - Persia style at east and west terraces. Arsemia: It is 63 kilometers from Adıyaman, on the east bank of Kahta stream. There are relieved illustration of Mitras on ceremonial road at south, and a rock depicitng Antiochos - Heracles greeting on ceremony platform and before this the biggest inscription of Anatolia an epitaph in the language of ancient Greece.

Atatürk Dam and GAP

Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), is a multi sectoral and complex regional development programme of Southeastern Anatolia Region consisting 9 cities (Adıyaman, Batman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt, Şanlıurfa and Şırnak). At the beginning, the aim project was to cover only the improvement of water and soil resources, but in 1989 after the preparation of GAP Master Plan; the project evolved to a multi sectoral and complex regional development plan. The most important step of the project was the Atatürk Dam which is known to be the biggest dam of Türkiye and 8th biggest Dam in the world. With Atatürk Dam, which is located in the borders of Adıyaman and ŞanlıUrfa, soil resurrects from years of drought and the economy of the region developed rapidly. On the other hand, Dam Lake which is called as "sea" by the local people, gives a great variety to the touristic capacity of the region. Fishing and water sports are now available in lake life.

Cendere Bridge: It is located at the north-east of Karakuş Tumulus , 55 kilometres from Adıyaman. Cendere Bridge consists of a big arch built with 92 large shattered stones on two main rocks at the most narrow place of Kahta river and a secondary arch at the east side of the bridge. The columns of the bridge were constructed with elasticity to make the bridge resistable to the earthquakes. Below this bridge placed another bridge that has 5 arches and was built at Commagene Antiochos Theos Period.However, it was destroyed by the Romans. Göksu - Kızılin Bridge: The bridge dated back to Roman period, was built on a rocky place between Gümüşkaya and Ağcin villages. Except for the middle arch the bridge in general is in good condition. Golden Bridge: Bridge has a big arch and tree other arches getting smaller each after another. The stones of the Bridge were put together with compress method without using a plaster. There are 63 lines of stone at the west side and 70 lines of stone at east side of the arch. In total nineteen line of stones were used.

Caves

Göksu Caves: Across the Göksu river are natural caves on a 40 - 50 meter high precipitous rocks. Caves are concentrated around Kızılin and Sarıkaya villages on Besni side, Gümüş Kaya and Mal Pınarı on Adıyaman side. Palanlı Cave: Placed in Palanlı village, 10 kilometres west of Adıyaman, on Adıyaman - Çelikhan - Malatya Highway. It is a natural cave that was used in 40.000 BC. On the wall of the cave a deer motive, which is made by simple counter lines, is still noticeable.Especially the deep valley where the cave takes place is a unique part of nature. Kitap (Book) Cave: In Book Cave are settlement units having two floors built through carving the rocks.They are named as (iron castle 1) and known to be used by the people of Early Christian Period. Caves can be reached on foot from İndere village (Zey). Gümüşkaya (Palaş) Caves: Located at 40 kilometres south-west of Adıyaman, at the west of Göksu river and the village (named by the river). There are various caves on the rocks connected to each other with tunnels. They were known to be used as a residence and thought to be built in 150 B.C. These caves had balconies, divisional rooms, wells, yet the entrances are of one person width.

Nemrut Dağı National Park

Location: Nemrut Dagi National Park lies between Kahta (9km) and Adiyaman (43km). Transport: The park can be reached by the road connecting the centre of Adiyaman to Kahta. Highlights: Most famous site of all, and one of the best-known images of Turkey, are the huge sculptures of gods on the mountain. In addition, it is also the site of tumulus of Antioch, Arsameia (Eskikale), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Tepe (Peak), and Cendere Bridge. In the ancient city of Commagene, King Mithridates I established an independent kingdom, which gained importance during the reign of King Antioch (62 – 32 BC), the son of Mithridates. In 72 AD, the Commageneians lost the war against the Roman Empire, after which they also lost their independence. The ruins on the top of Nemrut Dagi indicate that it was not a residence, but specifically built for the tumulus of Antioch and his sacred space. The tumulus is at an altitude of 2150m and overlooks the River Firat and the neighbouring plains. It is thought that the king’s bones or ashes were put inside the room carved into the main rock, then covered by the tumulus which is 50m high and 150m in diameter. The courtyards are shaped like terraces, and religious ceremonies were held on the western side. On both terraces, the huge sculptures of the gods, measuring up to 7m high, are positioned between the lion and eagle sculptures. These are surrounded by great stone blocks, arranged perpendicularly with inscriptions and embossed designs. The capital city of Commagene, Arsameia, is in the neighbourhood of the old Kahta village. The holy field of Mithridates is also in that area. Yenikale is also of great historic interest, and in the area of old Kahta. This castle was built on very steep rocks, and has water depots, baths, mosque, and a hidden water road that leads to river Kahta. Cendere Bridge, built with one arch on two rocks, crosses the narrowest point of the river Cendere. According to the epitaph written on the columns of the bridge, the Commagene cities had built it in honour of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (193-211 AD) and his wife and sons. Karakus Peak Tumulus, in which the women of the royal family were buried, is a 21m tall tumulus 10km south-west of Arsameia. Bears, wolves, jackals, foxes and badgers inhabit the nearby forest. Facilities: Food and accommodation is available in the national park, with hotels in Nemrut Dagi and pensions in Karadut and Kahta.

Adıyaman Musuem located on Atatürk Boulevard. In Archaeological ruins section, exhibitions begining from Paleothic Age include hand axes of flintstone, drilling and digging equipment, obsidian arrow heads, cooked clay figures. Also ceramics, glass furnitures, bone tools, gold, silver and bronze ornaments, figures, stamp and cylinder seal exhibits dated to various times; Calcolithic Age, Begining, Middle And Late Bronze Ages, Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Periods. Moreover there are stone reliefs from Late Hittite Period, some coins and mosaic samples pertaining to Commagene Kingdom. In Ethnographic works section, there are examples of weaved objects rugs, carpets, cicim, rug - pillow, women and men clothes, silver ornaments, house furniture all collected from Adıyaman region. Some stone works of museum were displayed at inner garden. Museum Tele: (+90-416) 216 29 29 Open hours to visit: 08.30-12.00 , 13.00-17.30