Nemrut Dag NP Travel Guide
Witness the Famous Stone Heads of Antiochus I
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The unforgettable sight of the amazing carved heads on Mt Nemrut combined with the stunning scenery of their setting makes the long journey to get to this remote part of Turkey well worth-while. Dating back to the first century BCE when King Antiochus I Theos erected them to glorify his rule the site has yet to be fully explored.
King Antiochus I Theos was the king of the Commagene empire which covered an area that stretched from the Euphrates Valley into northern Syria. His ancestry can be traced back to both Alexander the Great and the Persian kings. His support for Pompey against the Parthians gained him additional territories and he became a powerful local ruler.
To glorify himself in death Antiochus had built the structure whose remains we see today and which comprise of a large complex of 3 terraces cut into the mountainside decorated with reliefs and crowned with enormous, 9-metre high seated figures of himself alongside both Greek and Persian gods; his mausoleum, believed to be at the site, is yet to be found.
The heads have over the years toppled from the seated figures and now lay scattered in front of the figures, somehow adding to the atmosphere of this very special place. The site was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987.
Attractions in Nemrut Dag NP
The long journey to this remote region of Turkey is well worth the effort to see the sculpted heads that adorn the summit of Mount Nemrut; look out too for the stone reliefs. Nemrut Dağ National Park is additionally a great place to explore on foot with good walking in the area (though a guide will be needed).
Other attractions to visit in the immediate vicinity include Karakuş which has the graves of the ladies of the Commagene court, Arsameia, the ancient Commagene capital and the famous Cendere Bridge that spans the Kahta Cay.
Activities in Nemrut Dag NP
An organised tour through a local travel expert is by far the easiest way of seeing the main sites on and around Nemrut Dağ and for those with limited time is the only realistic method of visiting. Arrangements will include transport to the site and a local guide. Note that the mountain is generally only visited between June and September as snow often prevents access at other times; it is very cold year round – bring suitable clothing.
Relaxing
A few moments alone on the summit is a humbling experience in the shadow of the great heads contemplating the passing of empires.
Getting Around
Nemrut Dağ lies in an isolated part of Turkey with the nearest large town being Adiyaman 89km away. Adiyaman is well served by intercity buses from all directions; the nearest airport is at Diyarbakir 170km to the east of Kahta and which has flights from to Ankara and Istanbul; thus whilst remote the site is approachable with some planning.
Once in Adiyaman travellers should take a taxi or dolmuş to Kahta which lies 35km to the east of Adiyaman; here there is accommodation and it makes for a convenient base from which to explore. An alternative is the more basic accommodation that can be found closer to the site at Karadut.
Whilst locally organised tours are possible these may well only be available during the height of summer. Travellers on an extended tour of central and eastern Turkey would do well to build Nemrut Dağ into their itinerary, visiting en route to or from the other important regional attraction of Şanlıurfa.
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