 Tomb on Nemrut Dağı | ||
| Nemrut Dağı | ||
| height | 2,150 m | |
|---|---|---|
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
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Nemrut Dağı is a mountain in the national park of the same name in Southeast Anatolia in the Turkey.
background
The 2150 m high Mount Nemrut, also under the name Nimrod known, is the highest point in northern Mesopotamia. The so-called Hierothesion, a combination of monumental tomb and sanctuary, has been on the summit since 1987 UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of a distinctive scree fill, which is surrounded by an eastern, western and northern terrace. The once 8-10 m high statues on the east and west terraces are still impressive, although none of them are completely preserved. The heads are each set up in front of the associated hulls. Both terraces are very similar. The statues represent the gods Apollo, Zeus, Hercules and Tyche as well as the god-king Antiochus. The statues on the east terrace are a little better preserved. A visit early in the morning is recommended, as this is when the best light falls on the east terrace. Entering the embankment is forbidden and should not be done, even if there are obvious footsteps leading to an ascent.
Another important sight within the national park are the ruins of Arsameia on Nymphaios, the ancient residence of the King of Kommagene. The Turkish name is Eskical (German old castle). The most striking is the exit in the approx. 150 m long tunnel, at the entrance of which you can see well-preserved inscriptions. Next to it is a well-preserved relief on which King Antiochus or his son Mithridates shakes hands with the naked Hercules.
Outside the park are those Mamluk fortressYeni Kale (Eng. New Castle), the completely preserved Roman Bridge of Septimius Severus from the 2nd century AD as well as the Karakuş Tumulus, the second important burial mound of Kommagene after the Nemrut.
Yeni Kale is currently closed and will be restored soon. A reopening is not expected before 2012.
If you don't want to go on long hikes within the park, you can easily visit all the sights in one day.
history
The facility on the summit of Nemrut was built by King Antiochus I Theos (69–36 BC) von Kommagene as a sign of his contract with the gods and was designed as the center of a new religion founded by him, the Persian and Greek Mythology united.
landscape
A visit to the summit of the Nemrut is also very attractive because of the wonderful view over the mountainous landscape, and when the view is clear, the foothills of the Ataturk reservoir.
The steep, narrow road that leads inside the park from Nemrut through a gorge-like valley down to Arsameia, which is almost 1000 m below, reveals breathtaking views again and again.
Flora and fauna
climate
getting there
The usual arrival is from the southeast. From here the park has two entrances, one directly at Arsameia and another on the road that leads almost to the summit of Nemrut. It should also be possible to get to Nemrut Dağı Park from the direction of Malatya to approach.
The D360 runs southeast of the park and connects Adıyaman and Diyarbakır. The highway is between Kahta and Siverek interrupted by the Ataturk reservoir. You have to take a ferry across here.
From Kahta you drive towards Siverek. 9 km after Kahta, a road branches off to the left, which you follow. From this junction "Arsameia" is signposted. From the street you can soon see the columns of the Karakuş Tumulus on the left, which can be easily reached via a short cul-de-sac. If you follow the road for a few kilometers you will come across the new bridge over the river Cendere. About 300 m to the left of the new bridge is the ancient bridge of Septimius Severus, over which traffic still rolled until a few years ago. A few kilometers further on, a small road branches off to the left to a village. The junction is signposted "YenISCHE". The New Castle is right on the square at the entrance to the village. You now drive back on the road and after approx. 2 km you reach the park entrance at Arsameia. Now about 1 km within the park to the small parking lot below the ruins.
From the ferry station at the Ataturk reservoir, drive in the direction of Kahta and after about 17 km you will reach the junction where “Nemrut Dağı” is signposted. A small road leads through several villages to the entrance of the national park. From here another 700 meters in altitude have to be overcome via a steep road to the summit.
Within the park, a narrow, very steep road leads from Arsameia into the mountains. It meets the road to the Nemrut summit roughly in the middle between the park entrance and the summit.
Those who do not have their own vehicle can book tours from both Adıyaman and Kahta.
Fees / permits
Entry to the park is 6 TL per person. Admission is only possible during the day between approx. 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
mobility
You can only move around the park with your own vehicle or on foot. Having your own vehicle is highly recommended as there are considerable differences in altitude to be overcome.
Tourist Attractions
activities
Anyone who moves around the park on foot will not be able to avoid a longer hike. The roads in the park are not very busy, so a hike along the road is possible without any problems.
shop
Souvenirs are offered at the two parking lots.
kitchen
At the parking lots below the summit of Nemrut Dağı and below Arsameia there is a mixture of simple restaurant and snack bar.
accommodation
Inside the park you can find a very simple place to stay at the small restaurant at the end of the street just below the summit of Nemrut Dağı.
There are several smaller hotels or campsites in the villages below the park entrance.
