NEMRUT DAĞI MILLI PARKI

There are several mausoleums in the park. The main one being that of King Antiochus I.

The mausoleum of Antiochos I. King Antiochos I, a megalomaniac and proud man, was right to have a mausoleum of this magnitude built for himself, because he managed to never fall into oblivion. We are in 64 B.C., Asia Minor is controlled by the Romans, except for the Commagene! "I, the great king Antiochos, will enter into my eternal rest here and my spirit will join the spirit of Zeus in heaven". The mound is 50 m high and 150 m in diameter, increasing the height of the mountain, which is higher than the neighbouring mountains. The mausoleum is made of rock and rocky outcrops. Surrounded by altar terraces to the east, north and west, the mound seems to rise out of the ground. The west terrace groups together the famous stone heads of the 6 colossal statues (seated). The heads lie on the ground, gigantic (the highest is 8 metres high) because they fell following an earthquake.

The statues represent nothing but Greek and Persian Gods (Antiochos is of Persian origin) and two majestic eagle and lion heads. The east terrace offers a similar spectacle to the west terrace but the heads of the deities on the ground are much more degraded. The altar on this terrace was probably used for the sacrifice of animals. Fulfilling the function of a sanctuary, the place was also made to honor the Gods.

The origin of the name Nemrut Dağı. After the fall of the kingdom of Commagenes during the reign of King Antiochus IV in 74 AD, the Romans destroyed statues and buildings reminiscent of the ancient Commagenes reign. For nearly 2,000 years, nothing disturbs the three kings buried in the earth. The name Nemrut attributed to the mount dates back to the arrival of the Christian populations, who, unaware of the origin of the mausoleum, think that they have before their eyes the work of the famous Nimrod (Nemrut Daği, in Turkish).

The mausoleum of Karakuş, 9 km above Kâhta. Like Mount Nemrut, it is artificial. Here lie the wives of the family of King Mithridate I, founder of the dynasty of the kings of Commagenes. Three massive columns are in place, initially crowned with an eagle, a lion and a bull.

The Cendere Bridge, a Roman bridge from the 2nd century, two columns marked each side.

The Yeni Kale, the "new citadel", protected the village of Eski Kâhta.

Eski Kale, the "ancient citadel", also called Arsameia, was the capital of the Kingdom of Commagenes. The view is worth the detour. Paid admission.