About Mount Nemrut

Mount Nemrut, Turkey Located in the city of Adiyaman is a mountain 2.150 meters high. It is located in the Taurus mountain range, near the Ankar mountains, near the town of Kahta. The Nemrut Mountain, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, was taken under protection with the Nemrut Mountain National Park, which was established in 1988.

History

The mountain is home to archaeological ruins in this area, known as "Commagene" in ancient times. The Antiochos tumulus and the giant sculptures here, Eskikale, Yenikale, Karakuş Tepe and Cendere Bridge are cultural values ​​that remain within the national park. On the east and west terraces, there are Antiochos and god-goddess sculptures, as well as lion and eagle sculptures. There is a unique lion horoscope on the west terrace. There are 16 stars consisting of 3 rays on the lion and they are thought to represent the planets of Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. It is the oldest horoscope known in history.

The sculptures were carved by blending Hellenistic, Persian art and the original art of Commagene country. In this sense, Mount Nemrut can be called “the bridge of the western and eastern civilization”.

Antiochos Theos, the king of Commagene, built the top of this mountain in 62 BC, as well as his own tomb-temple, as well as sculptures of many Greek and Persian gods. The tomb contains stone carvings of the gods, like the head of an eagle. The way the sculptures are arranged is known as hierotation.

Excavations were carried out in 1881 by German engineer Karl Sester. Antiochus's tomb was not found during the excavations in the following years. The Nemrut Mountain, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987, was taken under protection with the Nemrut Mountain National Park, which was established in 1988.

Geology

Terrestrial climate characteristics can be seen in Nemrut Dağın in Kahta district borders. Due to the Atatürk Dam lake in the district borders, the climate structure has changed significantly and started to show similarities with the Mediterranean climate. But even in mid-summer, sunrise on Mount Nemrut will be quite cold.