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ADIYAMAN
Area:
7.614 km²
 Located
at the west of Southeastern Anatolia Region, taking ıts stage in
history rather early dating back to the existence of first man
and hosting various different cultures ,Adıyaman is an important
culture and tourism center. Along with this, Adıyaman is known
to be one of the oldest settlements on Earth; discoveries from
every human phase are found on the region. Adıyaman also
fascinates its visitors with the ruins of Mt. Nemrut known as
the 8th Wonder of World, the ruins of Commagene, Atatürk Dam ,the
fourth biggest dam in the world, Çamgazi Dam, Winter Camping
Organisation and finally with the world champion local folk
dances.
In Adıyaman;
Hittites, Asurians, Hurris, Phyrigians, Persians, Macedonians,
Commagenes, Romans and Byzantines had lived through history.The
city was founded by an Emevi Commander Masur İbni Caneve in 8th
Century. After Emevi's dominance came to an end Abbasi, Eyyübi,
Seljuk, Mamluks and Ottomans took control of the city
respectively. In 1923 it was a district dependent to Malatya,
finally after 1954 it became a province.
ANCIENT
CITIES
 Arsameia
Ruins (Nymphaios Arsameia): It is understood from the
Inscriptions of King Antiochos I that Arsameia was built in the
first quarter of the Second Century BC, by the order of Arsemez
(ancestor of Commagene) at the east of Kahta River, facing the
Old Kahta Castle . It was the summer capital and the
administrative centre of the Kingdom.
On the east
ceremony way an embossed relief of Mithradates, above the rite
platform , displays Herakles shaking hands with Mithradates. In
front of the rite platform is an inscription in Greek known as
the biggest inscription found in Anatolia. A tunnel beginning at
the front of the inscription deep in to 158 meter and also at
the west of the inscription a similar rocky vestibule exists.
Tomb temple and Palace of Mithradates Callinichos take place on
the platform. Arsameia ruins are 60 km to Adıyaman.
 New
Castle: New Castle is located nearby Kocahisar Village which
is 60 km to Adıyaman. New Castle was built by the Commagenes and
used together with Arsemeia. Romans and Mamluks restored the
Castle and finally in 1970's the castle was partly repaired. In
the castle are a bazaar, a Mosque, a dungeon, water canals,
ruins of pigeon loft and inscriptions . A water canal flawing
from the castle down through to Nymphois was bound to Arsameia
by a tunnel. It is still possible to reach the water through the
water canal which has an 80 meter length.
Derik Castle:
It was built on a hill of 1400 m altitude  near
the Datgeli village on the Sincik Highway. Estimated to be built
by Roman Empire in 70 AC, and used by them till 300 AC, the
castle, houses a huge temple and is known as the holy place of
the region. Besides, the ruins of Temenos which were built
during the period of Commagenes, are placed nearby the castle.
Gerger Castle
(Arsameia of Euphrates):
The castle taking place in the west shore of Euphrates (Fırat) ,
85 km to Adıyaman's Kahta County, can even be dated to Late
Hittite Period. The castle was constructed by Arsames, the
ancestor of Commagenes. Being built on precipitous rocks,the
Gerger Castle is divided into two sections as the lower castle
and upper castle and at the west walls of the castle is an
embossed relief of King Samos.In the Castle which is also used
during Islamic period are shops, a Mosque and water cisterns.
 Perre
Antique City: The ruins of Perre Antique City are located 5
kilometres to Adıyaman city centre. The ruins taking place in
Pirin Village, include approximately 200 cave tombs and a
settlement place. This necropolis and its vicinity dated at
Antique Age, was an important settlement place of the Commagene
period, however especially during Roman Period it became a
developed city. The ruins consist of gates decorated with
embossed reliefs and tomb rooms that are engraved in rocks and
connected to each other .
NEMRUT DAĞI
 At
the junction of the East and West civilisations, Nemrut Dagi (Mount
Nemrut) is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A
collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain 2150m high,
adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. Unknown until
1881 when an Ottoman geologist discovered these 10 metre-high
stone heads, archaeological work began in 1953 to uncover their
history.
 Nemrut
Dağı has since been a significant attraction, with thousands
coming at sunrise and sunset to see the stones in the best
possible light. It has been designated a World Cultural Heritage
site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks
in the country. In addition to the statues, the entire site
includes art from the Commagene civilisation, the Eskikale (Old
Castle), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge.
Most people use the nearby towns of Malatya, Kahta or Adıyaman
as a base, and the road to the summit is only open from mid-April
to mid-October because of heavy snow the rest of the year.
 Arsemia:
It is 63 kilometers from Adıyaman, on the east bank of Kahta
stream. There are relieved illustration of Mitras on ceremonial
road at south, and a rock depicitng Antiochos - Heracles
greeting on ceremony platform and before this the biggest
inscription of Anatolia an epitaph in the language of ancient
Greece.
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