Places of interest
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 meters 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 1400m 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 is located 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 are remained 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.
Mound Tumulus and Monuments
Karakuş Tumulus (Women's Monument Tomb): Located at Adıyaman-Kahta enterance in south-west of the National Park, the Monumental Tomb was built by Commagene's King Mithradates II and was dedicated to his mother Isas. Because of the symbol of eagle on the top of the columns, it was named as Karakuş (black bird) Tumulus. There were four columns in each east, west and south directions, however today only two at east, one at west and one at south remain. On the east columns are ruins of lion and eagle statues, on the west columns ,on the other hand, grounds a relief of 'shaking hands' and on the ground remain pieces of lion statue. Karakuş Tumulus determined as the entrance of Mount Nemrut is also located in the National Park.
Sofraz Tumulus: 45 km to the city centre and 15 km to Besni country. Placed at Üçgöz (Sofraz) village. The Tomb having 15 m height was covered by shattered stones and debris.
Sesönk (Obelisk): The Monumental tomb is located at 33 km south-east of Besni district and was built by Commagene's King Mithradates II on Kızıldağ Mountain. The tomb was surrounded by 3 columns, each having 10 meters height. On these columns are embossed figures of women, men and lions .
Karadağ Tumulus: 5 km from Adıyaman ,Karadağ Tumulus lies on the slope of Karadağ Mountain. It has a rock tomb consisting of two sections.
Beştepeler: 25 km from Adıyaman, inside the Ilıcak village borders are 6 tumulus tombs that are covered by hoarded stones. It is estimated that these tombs were built for royal family members of Commagene Kingdom.
Malpınarı Rock Inscription: Located approximately 35 kilometres from Adıyaman at the Malpınar locality. There is a hieroglyph inscription engraved on natural rock and settlements carved on rocks, which are all dated to the late Hittite Period.
Bridges
Cendere Bridge: It is located at the north-east of Karakuş Tumulus , 55 kilometres from Adıyaman. Cendere Bridge consists of a big arch built with 92 large shattered stones on two main rocks at the most narrow place of Kahta river and a secondary arch at the east side of the bridge.
The columns of the bridge were constructed with elasticity to make the bridge resistable to the earthquakes. Below this bridge placed another bridge that has 5 arches and was built at Commagene Antiochos Theos Period.However, it was destroyed by the Romans.
Göksu - Kızılin Bridge: The bridge dated back to Roman period, was built on a rocky place between Gümüşkaya and Ağcin villages. Except for the middle arch the bridge in general is in good condition.
Golden Bridge: Bridge has a big arch and tree other arches getting smaller each after another. The stones of the Bridge were put together with compress method without using a plaster. There are 63 lines of stone at the west side and 70 lines of stone at east side of the arch. In total nineteen line of stones were used.
Caves
Göksu Caves: Across the Göksu river are natural caves on a 40 - 50 meter high precipitous rocks. Caves are concentrated around Kızılin and Sarıkaya villages on Besni side, Gümüş Kaya and Mal Pınarı on Adıyaman side.
Palanlı Cave: Placed in Palanlı village, 10 kilometres west of Adıyaman, on Adıyaman - Çelikhan - Malatya Highway. It is a natural cave that was used in 40.000 BC. On the wall of the cave a deer motive, which is made by simple counter lines, is still noticeable.Especially the deep valley where the cave takes place is a unique part of nature.
Kitap (Book) Cave: In Book Cave are settlement units having two floors built through carving the rocks.They are named as (iron castle 1) and known to be used by the people of Early Christian Period. Caves can be reached on foot from İndere village (Zey).
Gümüşkaya (Palaş) Caves: Located at 40 kilometres south-west of Adıyaman, at the west of Göksu river and the village (named by the river). There are various caves on the rocks connected to each other with tunnels. They were known to be used as a residence and thought to be built in 150 B.C. These caves had balconies, divisional rooms, wells, yet the entrances are of one person width.
Museums
Adıyaman Musuem located on Atatürk Boulevard. In Archaeological ruins section, exhibitions begining from Paleothic Age include hand axes of flintstone, drilling and digging equipment, obsidian arrow heads, cooked clay figures. Also ceramics, glass furnitures, bone tools, gold, silver and bronze ornaments, figures, stamp and cylinder seal exhibits dated to various times; Calcolithic Age, Begining, Middle And Late Bronze Ages, Iron Age, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman Periods. Moreover there are stone reliefs from Late Hittite Period, some coins and mosaic samples pertaining to Commagene Kingdom.
In Ethnographic works section, there are examples of weaved objects rugs, carpets, cicim, rug - pillow, women and men clothes, silver ornaments, house furniture all collected from Adıyaman region. Some stone works of museum were displayed at inner garden.
Museum Tele: (+90-416) 216 29 29
Open hours to visit: 08:30-12:00 , 13:00-17:30
