Nemrut Mountain: Nemrut Dagi (Mt. Nemrut) is the first impressive peak rising from a flat plain in Northern Mesopotamia and stretches to a height of 2150 metres. It is matchless in its historical treasures. The original peak was removed and in its place was constructed the Tumulus of Antiochos 1, one of the kings of Commagene when it was at its height of power and art expression during the 1st century B.C. This interesting structure was made by heaping up pieces of rocks to make the 50 m x 150 m mound. The east and west terraces of this mound are open-air temples. On these terraces are statues of lions, eagles, five gigantic god statues, four male and one female. Dexiosis type reliefs are in a good state of preservation. On the western terrace the heads of these statues have been toppled but are in good condition. These heads alone are taller than a man. On the eastern terrace the 9m high statues are well enough preserved to see the gods sitting on their thrones. The statues are in the same order on both terraces; Apollo, Tyche the Commagene god of fertility, Zeus, Antiochus and Hercules. Reliefs of the genealogy of Antiochus as well as others are now being restored. Opposite, at the other end of the terrace, is an altar with several steps leading up to it from all four sides. Adiyaman and Environs: This area lies in the southeast of Turkey in the central Firat (Euphrates) region. According to archaeological research the history of the area goes back to the Paleolithic Age. During the Neolithic Age (8000-7000 B.C.) Gritille, Hayaz, Ancoz and Samsat were the main culture centres. After the Early Bronze Age the Hittites lived here and formed the Anatolian Federation. The region was populated successively by Mitanni, Urartians, Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians, the people of Commagene, Romans, Byzantines, Abbasidas, Omayyads, Seljuks, i Ikhanians, Mameluks and the Ottoman Empire. In the centre of Adiyaman are the remains of a fortress built by the Omayyad Caliph, Hisn-i Mansur, in the VIII century and later restored by the Seljuks. Today this fortress is a park. A mosque, Ulu Cami, from the 14th century is of importance. A colourful place for shopping is the Oturakci Carsisi where you can buy local handicrafts, rugs, kilims and saddle bags. The ancient city of Perre, today called Pirin, is 5 km from Adiyaman. The city ruins and 208 caves in the rocks, where there are human reliefs, are of historical importance. At the Adiyaman Museum you will find on display archaeological and ethnographical finds from various historical periods. The museum is open everyday except Mondays.

In order to reach Mountain Nemrut, which is 83km from Adiyaman and 48km from Kahta, one proceeds by minibus or taxi through Narince and Karadut up to 1km from the top. Here there is a rest area. Walking along a path from the rest area for 20 minutes one reaches the tumulus. The view is spectacular and it is worth the climb to view the sunrise and sunset. To be enveloped by this natural beauty and live in history will leave one with an impression for a lifetime. May October is the best time to visit the region.

Eski Kale: Eski Kale is near Eski Kahta (Kocahisar) and is the ancient fortress of Arsameia, built with no small effort on a steep cliff. Its walls and parapets are still in good condition. On a special path, that was used for religious ceremonies leading up the mountain side, is a statue pointing the direction to the temple. Another 100 meters farther along is a Dexiosis relief showing a hand-shaking scene between King Mithradates and Hercules, carved in about 50 B.C. Near this relief are rooms hollowed into the rock that were particularly used for religious ceremonies. Following along this footpath still upward one comes to the largest rock inscription in Anatolia. It tells of the political intentions and the religious beliefs of the Commagene Kingdom, that Arsameia was its capital and that Mithridates, the father of Antioches I, was buried there. Just below this inscription is a large opening that descends by a stone stairway to a depth of 158 metres. This passageway leads to Arsameia but now it is blocked off half-way along. Above this inscription, following the path up the mountainside, are the foundations and mosaic floors of the Arsameia Palace.

Yeni Kale: Yeni Kale is the second fortress and is located in the village of Kocahisar just opposite Eski Kale. The Kahta River runs between the two. This fortress is built on a 300-350 metre high rock. Archeologists have proven it to be the fortress for the kings of Commagene. Certain additions were made in Mameluk times to give the appearance that it has today. The castle is surrounded by high walls with only one entrance gate. Inside are houses, shopping areas, a bazaar, a mosque, cisterns, a jail and a dungeon.

Cendere Bridge: A surviving Roman bridge built in the time of Septimus Severus, it spans the Kahta River in one single arch. It is constructed of 92 stones each weighing about 10 tons. The three columns, two at one end and one at the other, are 9-10 metres in height.

Karakas Tumulus: This 35 metre high tumulus is the funerary monument of the Commagene royal families. The tumulus is surrounded by four 9-10 metre high columns that are surmounted by large animal figures. 

Samsat: The ruins of Samosata (3rd c, n.t:.), the old Kommagene capital on the Euphrates, now mostly lie submerged beneath the waters of the Ataturk Baraji (Dam) south-west of Kahta. Only when the level in the reservoir is low does the 45m/148ft high castle hill, which in 1990 was still being excavated, break the surface of the water. The site is reached from Adiyaman by driving east to Anil and then south along the new road to Yeni Samsat (about 65km/40 miles). From about 640 Samsat, like Adiyaman, was one of the frontier forts (thugur) constantly changing hands between Byzantium and the Arab and Turkoman invaders, sometimes under Christian occupation (e.g. 700, 860, 1098) and at other times Muslim (10th c. Emirate of Aleppo; 12th c. Seljucks).

More Travel Information: www.bilsentravel.com