Nemrut Mountain
Mount Nemrut is a 2,150 meter high mountain located in Adıyaman province of Turkey. Located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, Mount Nemrut is located in the Taurus mountain range around the Ankar Mountains. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, Mount Nemrut has been protected by the Mount Nemrut National Park established in 1988. The cultural route of Mount Nemrut starts with the Ancient City of Perre in the center of Adıyaman, and then ends at the Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge and Canyon, the summer capital of the Komagene Civilization, Arsemia Ruins, Kahta Castle, Devil's Bridge and finally Mount Nemrut.
The mountain is home to archaeological remains found in this area, known as "Commagene" in ancient times. The tumulus of Antiochos and the giant statues here, Eskikale, Yenikale, Karakuş Tepe and Cendere Bridge are cultural values within the national park. On the east and west terraces, there are statues of lion and eagle, as well as statues of Antiochos and god-goddess. A unique lion horoscope is located on the west terrace. There are 3 stars consisting of 16 rays on the lion, and these are thought to represent the planets Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. It is the oldest known horoscope in history.
The sculptures were carved by blending Hellenistic, Persian art and the original art of the Commagene country. In this sense, Mount Nemrut can be called "the bridge of western and eastern civilization". Antiochus Theos, the king of Commagene, had his own tomb-temple built on the top of this mountain in 62 BC, as well as the statues of many Greek and Persian gods. The tomb contains stone carvings of gods, like the head of an eagle. The arrangement of the statues is known as hierotation. Excavations were carried out in the tomb in 1881 by the German engineer Karl Sester. The tomb of Antiochus was not found in the excavations carried out in the following years. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, Mount Nemrut has been protected by the Mount Nemrut National Park established in 1988. Continental climate features are observed on Mount Nemrut within the borders of Kahta district. Due to the Atatürk Dam Lake in the borders of the district, the climate structure has undergone a significant change and has begun to show similarities with the Mediterranean climate. But even in the middle of summer, the sunrise on Mount Nemrut is quite cold.
