Nemrut Mountain
Nemrut Mountain (Adiyaman)6 the karst limestone mountain of Nemrut Dagi (2150m/7056ft) in the south-eastern Taurus 90km/56 miles north-east of Adiyaman is the Hierothosion of the Kommagene King Antiochus I (69-38 B.C.), dedicated to his own glory and that of the gods.Antiochus' tomb is concealed somewhere inside the 50m/164ft high man-made burial mound, with its spectacular terraces on three sides (east, north and west). The 80m/260ft long north terrace, lined with (collapsed) columns, served as a place of assembly and arena for processions and other rituals.
On either side of the east terrace stand reliefs of the King's ancestors, paternal (Persian) to the north, maternal (Seleucid) to the south, framing the colossal figures of the gods (heads standing on the ground) facing the main altar.
These include, in addition to eagles and lions, the Greco-Persian mixed deities Zeus - Oromasdes, Hercules - Verethragna - Artagnes - Ares, Apollo - Mithras - Helios - Hermes and Kommagene - Tyche, as well as Antiochus I himself. A similar arrangement is repeated on the west terrace, which is some 10m/33ft lower than the east. Here the heads of the colossal statues are better preserved and there are also more of them. The "Lion Horoscope" with its astral motifs symbolises the deification of Antiochus I through the metamorphosis of king into star.
Day 1: Departure by bus at 19:00 from Istanbul to Cappadocia / Departure from Istanbul by plane to Kayseri and transfer to hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 2 : Tour starts at 8:30am. First we visit the second biggest caravanserai in Turkey, Karatayhan. We have lunch in Tekir Valley. In Kahramanmaras we stop for tasting the worldwide famous ice-cream. In the afternoon we arrive to Kahta and check-in the hotel. Early in the morning we get up and drive up to the Mt. Nemrut which is known as the mountain with colossal statues and the tomb of King I. Anthiochos. We watch the most beautiful sunrise in the world at that part. After sunrise, we go down to visit the Arsemia Ruins. Next stop is Septimus Severus Bridge which is also known as Cendere Bridge. Then we go to Karakus Tomb. After having breafast in hotel we drive back to Cappadocia...
Day 3: In addition to two day tour,after having breakfast we go to Urfa. On the way we have a photo stop at Atatürk Dam Lake. In Urfa which is known as the city of Prophet Abraham we visit the Holy fish lake and Abrahams cave. And also Open-Pazaar. Then we go Harran and at that part we see the oldest University of the world and one of the old beehive houses. We return to Urfa for overnight.Next day in the morning drive back to Cappadocia...
- Hotel ** star (B.B)
- Lunch
- Guide service
- Enters fee for museum