“The hike to Nemrut is full of magic, and once you reach the top you are presented with an amazing scenery of huge sculptures made of limestone blocks that stand eight to ten meters high and weigh up to nine tons. These statues, dating back to around two thousand years ago, were erected by King Antiochus within his funeral sanctuary, which surrounds the entire area above his burial chamber” – this is what the press office of the Office of the Counselor for Culture and Information of the Turkish Embassy in Poland writes about Nemrut.
The great stone monuments depict Antiochus and various gods from Persian and Greek mythology. This archaeological site has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1987. Inscriptions indicate that the tomb of Antiochus is also located here, but it has not been found so far.
The top of Mount Nemrut is also one of the most beautiful places on Earth, from where you can watch breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. At the most convenient times of the day, tens of thousands of visitors climb to the peak to admire the picturesque play of colors in the sky. Please remember that regardless of the season, it is often cool at sunrise and sunset at the top of the mountain – so it is worth taking warmer clothes with you.
Once in the vicinity of Mount Nemrut, it is also worth paying attention to other nearby attractions. Perrhe, an ancient city in the kingdom of Commagene, may also be a unique place. The remains of the city are located in the modern suburb of Örenli in the northern part of Adıyaman, Turkey. Some authors identify it with Antiochia ad Taurum.
According to excavations by the Swiss anthropologist Eugène Pittard in 1925, Pirin was already inhabited in Paleolithic times. Similarly, another ruin of the ancient city – Arsameia – deserves attention.