Adıyaman Ancient Sites

ANCIENT SITES

MOUNT NEMRUT ANCIENT SITE
Mount Nemrut is located 86 km from Adıyaman and 51 km from the district of Kahta. Recognized as the Eighth Wonder of the World and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the site rises to an altitude of 2,150 meters on the Eastern Taurus Mountain range, overlooking the Euphrates River crossings and the surrounding plains.
A monumental tomb was built on the bedrock for King Antiochus I of Commagene (Antiochos), and a large tumulus was formed by piling crushed stones over it. On the eastern, western, and northern terraces of the tumulus, colossal statues measuring 9–10 meters in height, depicting the king, gods, eagles, and lions, were erected.

ARSAMEIA SACRED AREA
The Arsameia Sacred Area is located within the borders of Kahta district in Adıyaman Province. It was founded in the 3rd century BC (Hellenistic Period) by Arsames, from whom it takes its name. Following the prehistoric era, the site continued to be used as a settlement during the Hellenistic, Roman, and Medieval periods. A relief depicting Mithras can be seen along the southern railway line.

PİRİN ANCIENT SITE (PERRE ANCIENT CITY)
Located 5 km from Adıyaman city center within the boundaries of Örenli Neighborhood, Perre was one of the five major cities of the Kingdom of Commagene. Only limited remains have survived to the present day. The site includes sections of city walls, a fountain still used by local residents, and a necropolis containing nearly 200 rock-cut tombs.

DERİK SACRED AREA
The Derik Sacred Area is situated within the borders of Çatbahçe Village in Sincik district. It was established on a flat area between two hills at an elevation of 125 meters. The site contains a temple, a sacred temenos (enclosure wall), and two symmetrically positioned structures known as heroa.

PALANLI CAVE
Palanlı Cave was used during the Paleolithic Period (Stone Age) and dates back to approximately 40,000 BC. Wall paintings depicting animals such as mountain goats and deer—created by hunter-gatherer communities—have survived to the present day without significant damage.

TUMULI AND MOUNDS

ROCK TOMBS AND MONUMENTS
TURUŞ ROCK TOMBS
The Turuş Rock Tombs are located at the 40th kilometer of the Adıyaman–Şanlıurfa highway, approximately 1 km west of Turuş (Kuyulu) Village. The site consists of around 60 Roman-period rock-cut tombs carved into a rocky hill. Some tomb walls feature reliefs and depictions of animals and human figures.

ROCK MONUMENTS
Mal Pınar Rock Monument:
Located northwest of Mal Pınar Hamlet in Durak Village, Adıyaman city center. The monument consists of an inscription measuring 18 × 85 cm, carved into a rock face on the left side of the Mal Pınar water source in the Göksu Stream valley.

Haydaran Rock Monument:
Situated within the borders of Taşgedik Village near the city center. This relief, dating to the Commagene Period, is carved into the bedrock inside a rectangular niche and depicts the Sun God Helios and King Mithridates of Commagene standing face to face.

CASTLES
ADIYAMAN (HISN-I MANSUR) CASTLE
Located in the city center of Adıyaman, the castle was built atop an artificial mound approximately 25 meters high. The historical name “Hısn-ı Mansur”, formerly used for Adıyaman, derives from this castle.

YENİ KALE (NEW CASTLE)
Yeni Kale is located 60 km from Adıyaman, near Kocahisar Village. Although medieval in appearance, evidence suggests earlier settlement phases. The existing structure dates to the Mamluk Period.
Within the castle are water cisterns, a bathhouse, a mosque, and a secret waterway descending to the Kahta Stream. Inscriptions indicate that the castle underwent construction and restoration during the reigns of Mamluk sultans Qalawun (1279–1290), Al-Ashraf Khalil (1290–1293), and An-Nasir Muhammad (1293–1341).

GERGER CASTLE
Gerger Castle is located in Oymaklı Village of Gerger district, Adıyaman Province. Built during the Roman Period on a hill dominating the Euphrates Valley, the castle was later expanded with walls, gates, and vaulted structures during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.

BESNİ CASTLE
Besni Castle lies 50 km from Adıyaman and just 1 km from Besni district center. Originally constructed during the Hittite Period, the castle was used by successive civilizations. Additions were made during the Ottoman era, including remains of a mosque, bathhouse, and bridge.