Nemrut Bay is a Turkish port, located in the northeastern part Aegean Sea. Russian river-sea class vessels often call at this port. They bring scrap metal here and remove steel reinforcement. Steel mills are located near the port. But there are no residential buildings near the port or near these factories. Workers are brought to the port by good buses Mercedes brand. Loaders in clean light uniforms get off the buses. When unloading scrap metal, the dust “stands like a pillar” and there is a roar. The factories are smoking. That's why there is no housing nearby. The loaders' shift is over, they change into clean clothes and take a clean bus home.
The motor ship "Sormovsky" is in the port, unloading scrap metal. The crew, off duty, sits in their cabins, there is nowhere to go, swimming in the port is prohibited, the shores near the port are dirty, and you can run into a piece of iron. You can’t call a taxi, you don’t have money, and you don’t know where to go. The captain decided to take a walk around the port. I reached the end of the piers, then there was a hill covered with bushes. I walked along the path. The path winds among the hills. Behind the first hill, an olive grove or garden opened up. It can be seen that the trees grow in a certain order, in rows. I picked an olive and tasted it - it was bitter. I climbed to the top of the next mountain and saw a town some distance away. I decided to go up to it and have a look. It’s interesting, I’ve been to this port several times, but this is the first time I’ve seen residential buildings here. From the port to the town there are three or four kilometers, but behind the hills this town is not visible. The town is very clean, or rather not a town, but in our opinion a village. There are various animals on the paths and nearby on the grass: cows, sheep, goats, and, of course, chickens, geese, ducks. Garbage is nowhere to be seen; near some houses there are closed garbage containers and trash cans.
Men sit in a cafe on the square, drink tea, talk, and play backgammon. There are no bottles of liquor or beer in sight. I went to the store to look
what they sell and what the prices are. Maybe order fresh fruits and vegetables for the ship. I tried to communicate with the seller in English, but he began to answer in broken Russian. It turned out that many Yugoslavs from Macedonia live in this village. How they got here - I didn’t bother to ask. Basically, it is not because of a good life that people leave their homes. Prices for food were higher than those of the ship chandlers supplying the ship. I inquired about the prices of alcohol. The price was several times higher than at the Istanbul roadstead. The seller explained it this way:
- Alcohol is not in demand here, no one buys it, that’s why the price is so high. We don’t bring beer either, no one takes it.
Like this local peculiarity. I left the store and went on a walk. Literally a few meters from the store they sell vegetables, like a small mini market. I inquired about the prices, they turned out to be quite reasonable. In addition, it is clear that they sell vegetables that they grew themselves. And since they grew it for themselves, then maybe they contain less nitrates than large producers. I ordered vegetables and fruits for the crew, they promised to deliver them in a few hours. The captain still has time, he walked along the path to the sea. At the end of the village there is an equipped sea beach. Benches, changing cabins, a toilet. A young man levels the sand with a rake and collects garbage. There are few swimmers. Women in long light trousers, light shirts and scarves on their heads are swimming nearby, and then in normal swimsuits. Men in swim shorts. The captain regretted that he did not take swimming trunks with him. It’s hot, I’d also be happy to take a swim. But it's time to return to the ship. They promised to bring food. I went back the same way. In the hollow between the slides, several turtles were caught next to the path. I took one with me. Let him live in the cabin, it’s all some kind of entertainment. Brought it to the ship. He gave her a corner in the cabin, made a box, and brought her some pebbles and herbs. I wanted to put a bowl of water, but changed my mind. How will she get into it? And if you put her in this basin, she won’t get out of it. In any group there are always people who know everything, at least it seems so to them, and such an expert suggested that this is a land turtle and it only needs water for drinking. A saucer of drinking water was placed.
We finished the cargo work and received the fruits and vegetables ordered in the village. The sellers did not let us down, they kept their word and did not charge any money for delivery.
The cargo - steel reinforcement - was destined for the port of Azov. At night we approached
Dardanelles Strait. Passage of all difficult sections is carried out only under the command of the captain. The captain gets up from the sofa in his cabin to go to the bridge, and in the dark he steps on a turtle. I almost fell and twisted my ankle. And after that, every time I had to go somewhere, I had to carefully look at my feet. This brought some inconvenience to the captain's life.
Often you have to walk around the cabin in the dark without light, and here this turtle is under
feet. Where should I put it? I decided to wait for the next call to Nemrut Bay
and return the turtle to its native place.
The cargo was unloaded in Azov and went for loading in Rostov-on-Don. We arrived at the Rostov port on Sunday, and in anticipation of loading, we anchored the ship in the roadstead.
After lunch, the boat came alongside and a fire inspector arrived to inspect it. Climbed on board. Three women and several children remained on the deck of the boat:
“My wife, children and girlfriends decided to go for a ride with me,” explains the inspector.
“Then let them come on board and have a look at the ship,” the captain invites.
- No, don't. The children will still fall somewhere. They are interested in going on a boat ride.
The inspector checked the vessel, documentation, and fire-fighting equipment.
As always, I made a few minor comments. Without them it is impossible, the work is not visible. The time has come for the inspector to leave, but he hesitates for some reason, in no hurry.
drinking. The captain knows what’s going on, the inspector can’t just leave, it’s not for nothing that he went to work on his day off. But there is nothing to give him. There are no souvenirs, we only visited Nemrut Bay, and there was nothing to take there, we didn’t even buy alcohol. And then the inspector comes across a box with a turtle. Interested:
- What is this, where does it come from?
The captain explained where he got it and offered it:
- Oh, if you want, take it for yourself, you’ll make the kids happy. - And gives the turtle along with the box to the inspector.
- Well, I don’t know, I’ll have to ask my wife and kids.
- So, ask.
The inspector takes the turtle, goes out on deck and shows it to his wife and children. The children are immediately delighted. They even squealed with joy. So the issue with the gift was resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.
The boat moved away from the side and the senior engineer, who was directly involved in the inspection, remarked with a grin:
- Alekseevich, why did you start paying off inspectors with greyhound puppies?
- Tour type- historical and cultural
- Location- Nemrut Dağ, Sanliurfa, Harran, Gobekli Tepe
- Duration- 5 days
- arrival date- on request
- Visa- not required
The highlight of this trip is a fascinating expedition to the southeast of Turkey, to Mount Nemrut Dag - the main sanctuary of the ancient kingdom of Commagene, where King Antiochus erected huge statues of the Gods of Europe and the Middle East. This is one of famous places Turkey, sort of national reserve, which has preserved to this day the remains of the ancient kingdom.
Altitude 2150 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Taurus Mountains.
Program
November 5-9, 2019
Istanbul - Gaziantep - Adiyaman - Nemrut Dag - Diyarbakir - Midyat - Mardin - Sanliurfa - Göbekli Tepe - Harran - Halfeti - Gaziantep - Istanbul
Day 1.
Meeting in Istanbul. For those who want a city tour
Day 2.
Flight Istanbul - Gaziantep/about 2 hours/
Excursion to Gaziantep. Roman Mosaic Museum
and the fortress of the city of Antep. Free time in
city center. Lunch.
Transfer to Adiyaman /190km/. Short rest, departure to Nemrud Dag /90 km/On the way visit the Roman bridge of Septimius Severus. Climbing
the top of Nemrud Dag to the huge statues of the times of Antiochus of Comogenes./62 BC/
Watching the sunset on the mountain is an incredible sight. And return to the hotel. Dinner.
Day 3
Transfer to Diyarbakir /200km/ We will visit the Ulu Mosque and the city walls in the old city, old bridge over the Tigris River. Lunch in the city of Diyarbakir. Departure to Midyat/150km/ and free time for walking. Visit to the monastery of Mor Gabriel. Departure to Mardin/70km/ Dinner.
Day 4
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Sanliurfa /200 km/ - the city of the prophets. We will visit Göbekli Tepe /Bellied Hill/ and the ethnographic village of Harran with cone-shaped brick houses.
Dinner.
We'll see beautiful lake with fish and the cave of St. Abraham, the fortress and the Museum of Archeology.
Hotel accommodation. Dinner.
Day 5
Transfer to Halfeti on the river. Efrat/110km/ Boat trip along the Efrat River.
Lunch in Halfeti. Departure to Gaziantep airport/100km/and flight to Istanbul.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, an excursion program is available upon request.
Cost 425 dollars.
/person for single occupancy
Included in cost:
Accommodation in 4* hotels
Breakfasts, dinners
All internal moves
Escort Russian speaking guide along the entire route
Additional expenses:
Flight to Istanbul
Medical insurance
Lunches (about 30 dollars)
Personal expenses
Entrance fees to museums (about 40 dollars)
We welcome curiosity and are open to communication:
+ 7 903 1840248 Whatsapp
info@site
or through
See you soon!
Below is an example of a program from Cappadocia. Day 1
This program can only be organized upon individual request if the guide has free days.
Arrival in Kayseri/Nevsehir
Day 2
We will begin our acquaintance with Cappadocia with a panoramic view of the Derwent Valley or the Valley of the Imagination. For thousands of years, rains and winds have sculpted their creations from soft tuff rock, in which you recognize images of people, animals, and fairy-tale characters. It really all depends on your imagination!
On the way to the village of Goreme, which means “Hidden from view,” we will meet 3 beauties - amazing rock forms that resemble giant mushrooms. Without a doubt a natural phenomenon and a true symbol of Cappadocia.
In Goreme we will visit the Open Air Museum - a complex of Byzantine churches from the 10th-11th centuries, included in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. At one time it was a significant monastic complex where revered Christian saints lived and preached. The frescoes of the churches have retained their beauty and bright colors to this day.
Frescoes in a Byzantine church of the 10th-11th centuries, Goreme
After lunch, after relaxing a little in hospitable Goreme, we will go to the Pashab Valley, otherwise known as the valley of the monks. At one time, monks who chose a life of asceticism and solitude loved to retire here. Their cells were preserved in amazing rocks, the so-called “fairy fireplaces”.
Pashaba Valley
Galip's workshop
We will walk along the ancient Ottoman bridge, visit one of the oldest and respected workshops in the region - Galip's workshop and his hair museum, listed in the Guinness Book of Records due to its unusualness. According to tradition, every traveler has a chance to come to master Galip and learn pottery for free. What is needed for this? Just a lock of hair from a beautiful lady and a note with contact information. Every year Master Galip holds a drawing for a trip, and every year the lucky winner comes and stays for a week in Galip’s hospitable home.
In the workshop we will have a fascinating story and a demonstration of making ceramics with gifts. The master has a great sense of humor and a lot of charm, so a great mood is guaranteed! And if you wish, you can always try and sculpt your own product and take it with you as a souvenir.
Day 3
One of the distinctive features of Cappadocia is its underground cities. There are more than 200 of them in the region! We will visit the largest of them - underground city Derinkuyu. Only 8 floors of the city are open to the public. The multi-storey dungeon is fully adapted by humans for long-term living. There are churches, cattle stables, chapels, kitchens, food storage, cemeteries, wells and even wineries.
The underground city of Mazy - everything here is adapted for life underground
The inhabitants of Cappadocia love and revere pigeons, so dovecotes are everywhere here... in the rocks. Some of the pigeon houses are painted white and decorated with murals and are located quite high off the ground to prevent foxes from getting close to the birds. We will visit Pigeon Valley near Goreme - here is perhaps the largest number of dovecotes - and we will enjoy its magnificent panoramic views.
Having walked around underground labyrinths Derinkuyu, we go upstairs, where a trip to the very deep canyon Cappadocia. The nature here is strikingly different from the mountain landscapes of Cappadocia.
Yikhlara Valley, there is a lot of greenery and wildlife
After lunch on the Melendiz River we head to Selima– a Byzantine monastery from the 8th century, where halls with columns, refectories and wonderful frescoes are still preserved. For lovers active rest You will really like it here, because the churches of the monastery are located on a hill, connected by grottoes, stone ledges and passages and offer a lot of space for movement.
Day 4
We leave Goreme and start to the mysterious Nemrut Dagu. The journey takes about 8-9 hours, about 600 km. and a lot of impressions. Our journey into history will last two nights and three days.
Nemrut at sunset is magnificent
There are several short stops along the way - Seljuk Caravanserai Karatayhan Built in the 13th century, tea break in a small town Pinarbasi, famous for its purest springs. Lunch with wonderful views of Tekir Valley.
Arrival in Kyakhta, city tour and dinner.
Overnight at a hotel located in the center 9 km. from Nemrut Dag.
Day 5
Check out from the hotel before sunrise. We have to get to the ruins of Mount Nemrut Dag and see an incredibly beautiful picture - the rising sun between 10-meter statues of the Gods.
By bus we arrive at the foot of the mountain, and then we have to climb the mountain on foot - about 800-900 m. Our ascent will take 25-30 minutes in good weather (no snow or rain).
As a reward for our efforts, we are treated to a stunning view of the rising sun between the statues of the Gods. Travelers who were able to see this beauty remain impressed for a long time. History and modernity intertwine here and the boundaries of reality are erased. It seems that the statues are living people, whose gaze is forever turned into the distance..
Free time for independent walks and photo sessions.
We return to the hotel for breakfast.
Trip to Kyakhta, with a visit to the ruins of the Arsemia Bridge, the Roman Sendera and the royal tomb of Karakus Tumulus. Tea break.
Next we will go to Göbekli Tepe (Turkish Göbekli Tepe - “Bellied Hill”, also known as "Numbilical Hill" or "Umbilical Mountain" - temple complex, located 15 kilometers northeast of the city of Sanliurfa, in southeastern Turkey. Is the oldest of the largest megalithic structures in the world. Its age is at least 12,000 years!
We leave for Sanliurfa - Harran, ancient city peace. On the way we will stop at the largest dam in the Middle East - the Ataturk Dam.
Let's visit the oriental bazaar in Kharan, where there are tempting Mad-Birki (houses that look like a beehive), which are mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Ruins of Haran, Oldest Islamic University and 18th century castle.
We return to the hotel for dinner.
Excavations at Gobekli Tepe
At the end of our busy day, we will stop by the city of Sanliurfa, where we will visit the Abraham Cave and the Holy Carp Pool.
Sanliurfa at sunset..
Day 6
We leave the hotel in the direction of Goreme and head to Biredzhik, where there is a unique farm for breeding bald birds - Kul Aynak.
Along the way we will have a picturesque stop for lunch and tea breaks.
Late arrival at the hotel, around 22-23 hours.
Day 7
Free day at your discretion. We will be happy to offer entertainment for every taste!
Choose! And that is not all …
If you haven't seen Cappadocia from a hot air balloon and seen the sunrise in flight, then you should definitely try it. It is impossible to describe this exciting action in words!
After the flight, a surprise awaits you...
A walk through the valleys on ATVs is an unforgettable experience
The expanses of Cappadocia are designed for speed and flight
Horseback riding. After all, Cappadocia is a country of horses and the attitude towards them is special here.
Riding a horse through the valleys... pleasure!
Carpet weaving master class
And our gift to you - we meet the sunset in the valley with a tasting of local wine
Additional entertainment
- Flight to hot-air balloon at dawn. A fascinating sight!
- Whirling dervishes in the ancient caravanserai Sarykhan.
Dervishes- wandering Sufi monks. The dance of the Dervishes is a mystical flight. It is believed that by their whirling they symbolize the rotation of planets in endless space, and human souls around God. Today this is just an artistic reminder of ancient traditions, but even a traveler far from Sufism will remember the mystical atmosphere with which this ceremony is filled...
- Attend an evening music concert in the valley.
- Master classes in carpet weaving, pottery/painting.
- Sunset from the Uchisar fortress. Magnificent panoramas and great photos!
What to take with you
- For comfortable walks around the area, we recommend taking comfortable closed shoes with non-slip soles. We will often climb to higher elevations, but the soil in Cappadocia is rocky and crumbles on the slopes! We'll be walking a lot!
- Don't forget to take hats and sunscreen. The sun in Cappadocia is very active.
- Also, just in case, you can take a raincoat and, depending on the season, a light sweater for the evening, since the weather is the weather and can be unpredictable.
- For a hot air balloon flight, it is also advisable to wear warm clothing. Flights usually take place at dawn and you can feel the coolness of the night in the air, especially at an altitude of 1000 m. The difference between day and night temperatures is not uncommon here, even in the warm season.
- Cameras and cameras will definitely come in handy. It’s impossible to leave here without photos!
Why us
We can safely say that we are Cappadocia experts and in love with Turkey. Our acquaintance with Cappadocia began in 2008 under very mysterious circumstances. Since then, our love has been mutual, deep and inexhaustible. Having studied this region in all its diversity, we offer programs developed solely on the basis of our personal experience.
excursion and educational programs and acquaintance with crafts and nationalities.
developing creative master classes with immersion in the ancient traditions, culture and life of Cappadocia.
- Pottery craft. Introduction to clay. Eastern painting.
- Carpet weaving. Colors, symbols, types of carpets
- Turkish cuisine. One of the oldest and most delicious in the world.
- East Dance. Training and communication with the famous Clara Süsekind
- Precious and semi-precious stones
- Painting in the open spaces. Drawing Cappadocia
Harmonious combination ski holiday at the magnificent resort of Erciyes and a winter wonderland in Cappadocia
We are for an active holiday, full of impressions and new discoveries. Your vacation!
Why Cappadocia
Cappadocia– a region in central Anatolia, far from sea resorts and the bustle of big cities. There are fantastically beautiful mountain landscapes, fabulous “fairy fireplaces” - rock formations of amazing shapes in which people still live, vineyards, apricot orchards, peace and tranquility, just like centuries ago.
Cappadocia is the place on Earth where you are filled with special energy, strength and inspiration. What scientists say about this: Cappadocia is located on the same parallel with Jerusalem, Solovki and Christian monasteries in Ethiopia. Many cities located on the same parallel played an important role in world history.
Cappadocia- This energetically saturated place. This is due rich history the edges. The first Christians settled here, ancient civilizations arose and disappeared, and the Great Silk Road once passed through. In Cappadocia, traditions and ancient crafts are honored and respected; it is not without reason that many artists are happy to find their second home here.
In spring, this region blooms and is fragrant with the fresh aromas of awakening plants. In autumn in Cappadocia, the heat gives way to beneficial warmth, and the vineyards and gardens play with the colors of the foliage. This is the most comfortable time for leisurely walks through the valleys and creativity in the open air. Read more about Cappadocia in our
Why Nemrut Dag
For more than two thousand years, these majestic sculptures on the mountain Nemrut watching sunsets and sunrises.
Excerpt from a book Igor Mozheiko “7 out of 37 miracles”
...King Antiochus, after he managed to negotiate with the Romans so that they would leave his possessions alone, ranked himself among the pantheon of the main gods. Now this event was to be recorded for centuries.
The king made great sacrifices. He mortgaged part of his possessions, sold family jewels, collected extraordinary taxes and ordered construction to begin on Mount Nimrud, which towered above Samosata, sanctuary to all the gods. The king even came up with an inscription for his sanctuary in advance. It should have read: “I, Antiochus, built this temple to glorify myself and my gods.”
And so began the construction of an amazing sanctuary, dedicated to the gods of Europe and the Middle East and one living person thirsting for glory, an old man, energetic, but not knowing where to put his energy...
Harran- amazing Turkish city, which is located approximately 50 kilometers from Sanliurfa, in the southeast of the country. The name of this city can be translated as “a place that is scorched by the sun.” It is believed that this place came from the pages of the Bible...
The hallmark of Harran is its cone-shaped clay houses, which in many ways resemble beehives and are built without the use of wood. For 3000 years, the design and appearance of these houses have remained unchanged. Clay houses provide the best shelter from the scorching sun and often have no windows. You can understand how many rooms there are in a house by counting the number of domes. It is at the top of each dome that there is an opening for the penetration of daylight. This design has a simple explanation - this is the only way to keep the room cool.
There are no hotels in this city, so tourists are offered a very authentic type of accommodation - beehive houses.
Sanliurfa- “the city of five prophets”, is located at the intersection of ancient trade routes: the west-east route from Persia and Nusaybin to Samosata and the Mediterranean coast, and the north-south route from Diyarbakir to Harran and Syria.
Of particular value in Sanliurfa is the Khalil-Raman Mosque and the Abraham Pond associated with it, filled with holy and inviolable carps. Legend says that the prophet Abraham, thrown into a fire, saved himself by turning the fire into water and the burning logs into carp ov..
Everyone feeds them here, so the carp are here, kind and kind.
After Hasankeyf, we headed towards another interesting attraction - the Nemrut Dağ mountain. On the way, we passed through the city of Diyarbakir, without taking a walk along the ancient fortress wall. We visited the closed university campus and had dinner with a wonderful university teacher. We reached Adiyaman, and were 47 km from the foot of the mountain. Then we took a minibus (dolmushi) to Kyakhta (Kahna). There were 24 km left to the mountain) Before we had time to take our backpacks out of the minibus, a very sociable man approached us and offered us an excursion to Nemrut Dag. We planned to get there on our own, but still, out of curiosity, we followed him. Of course, he began to assure us that we would not be able to get there on our own, at least today. We resisted, especially since the initial price of 40 euros (1,800 rubles) per person was high. But he was ready to bargain and I decided to try) I remembered that many of my auctions in Nepal were very successful) During the bidding process, it became clear that we needed each other and the only question was who would give in first. In the end, we settled on 110 liras (1870 rubles) for two, including camping accommodation. We refused to stay in the room and pitched a tent under a mulberry tree. As a bonus, we received a shower, the ability to charge gadgets and wi-fi. Out of habit, we cooked ourselves.
The excursion option we chose included: delivery to the mountain by dawn, independent walk along it and a self-guided tour of the surrounding area. The entire excursion was planned for 6 hours.
And what interesting things can you see on Mount Nemrut Dag? Here, at an altitude of 2150 m above sea level, there is an amazing “mausoleum”. In the 1st century BC. the tomb of King Antiochus I was built, surrounded by huge statues eight meters high. The edges of the rocky peak have been turned into terraces: western, eastern and northern. After a strong earthquake, the stone heads of the statues “fell from their shoulders” and now stand next to “their bodies.” Photos of these huge heads, in the rays of the dawn or sunset sun, attracted my attention when preparing for the trip. Unique since 1987 archaeological sites on top of the mountain of the year included in the list World Heritage UNESCO.
May, 23rd
Early rise, at 3.00, quick preparations, and in complete darkness we drove to Mount Nemrug. We drove and realized that getting there on our own would not be easy and would take quite a long time. Sometimes excursions also have useful properties) The car brought us very close to the top; a stone path led up. Of course, we are not alone in our interest in antiquity) Several groups of tourists went up with us.
01. Stone heads before dawn. East terrace
03. Zeus begins to collapse and a frame is made for him
I must say that it was quite cold and windy at the top. Many observers prudently put on down jackets and grabbed blankets.
04. I dressed lightly and was frankly freezing)
05. Other observers)
06. And again stone heads
07. The “bodies” of the statues are visible above
08. Hermes and Hercules
09. Dawn begins, full of drama...)
12. View from the top
13. Transition to the western terrace
15. Antiochus
16. Bar-reliefs of the ancestors of Antiochus
After dawn it became noticeably warmer and looking at the stone sculptures became much more pleasant)
22. Foggy view from the mountain
23. Roman :)
29. Signs to the terraces
We went down to the car waiting for us and drove on. If you wish, here under the mountain you can have a snack in a cafe or buy souvenir stone heads.
30. View from the road.
31. Oleander flowers. The plant is poisonous and is not recommended to eat.
33. Ruins of the Yeni Kale fortress
35. View from the bridge
36. Ruins of the fortress, view from the bridge
37. Cendere Bridge (CENDERE KÖPRÜSÜ)
39. View from the bridge
41. The length of the bridge is 120 m, width 7 m, it consists of 92 stone blocks
42. Opens from the bridge beautiful view to the canyon
Karakush tyumulus is a man-made burial mound, similar to the mound on Nemrut. Karakush Tyumulus family cemetery where women are buried royal family. The mound was founded under Mithridates Kalikikos in honor of his mother Isias in the 1st century BC.
43. Eagle statue on the mound
46. Eagle on top of the statue
47. Not very well preserved figure
48. Beautiful views open from the mound
The mound was the last point of our auto-excursion and at about 9 o’clock we returned to the campsite. The excursion turned out to be very interesting and certainly worth the money spent. At the campsite we slept, had lunch, bought souvenir stone heads and moved on. We got to Adiyaman in the back of a truck, in a cheerful company)
Adiyaman was remembered for its heat and delicious juice from mulberries.
56. Delicious mulberries)
57. Local grandfathers:)
We didn't stay long in Adiyaman and continued on our way towards the sea. How can you travel so much around Turkey and still not swim in the sea)
Stay tuned!
panoramas are clickable
Actually, we went on a trip to Eastern Turkey precisely for this place. A year earlier, while traveling around Georgia, we were at the observatory in Abastumani and our guide-astronomer Givi Kimeridze briefly showed a picture of giant statues on a mountain against the backdrop of a starry sky. Said: This is in Turkey, a nice place. The old photo stuck in my head so much that when I arrived, I found Mount Nemrut on Google and now we were going to visit it.
You can get to Nerut from Malatya or Adiyaman by taking a dolmush ticket to Kahta. There we decided to spend the night in a hotel, the name of which, luckily for them, I don’t remember. They invited you to their place as if it were the best and most cheap hotel in the city, however, in fact it turned out to be a rather creepy and dirty bedbug infestation, while 200 meters away there was a cozy and cheap teachers house. By the way, teachers' houses are kind of like hotels for government employees. Ordinary tourists can also stay there. A little more expensive, but still very cheap. At the same time, the level of the hotel is quite 3 stars. But we only met them in eastern Turkey. If anyone knows more, please tell me. In general, we doubted for a long time whether to stay in our terrible hotel, then we spat, threw our things, went out, saw the hotel better and returned exactly 10 minutes later with the goal of checking out. It seems, of course, that we are not very consistent, but the administrator at the reception threw us a formal tantrum, demanding to pay for a day for two, because... he has losses because of us. Yeah, losses. We arrived at 10 pm and canceled 10 minutes after checking in, without even registering. In general, there was a terrible and lengthy scene, as a result of which we moved out, the administrator yelled that we would not be accepted in any hotel in the city, we went to the teachers house, but they did not let us in, saying that the hotel owner, it turns out, has connections , he forbids taking his clients and they will have trouble with the measure, because. The administrator just called. As a result, two nice Turkish teachers saved us by directing us to a third hotel that was not involved in the quarrel.
The next morning we went to the mountain. Nemrut-Dag (Nemrut, Nemrud, Turkish Nemrut Dağ or Nemrut Dağı, Greek Όρος Νεμρούτ, Armenian Նեմրութ լեռ, Persian کوه نمرود, Kurdish Çiyay ê Nemrûd) is a mountain in the southeast of Turkey in the Taurus Mountains in the Adıyaman silt . Altitude 2150 meters above sea level. In 62 BC. e., King Antiochus I Theos of Commagene from the Armenian Yervandid dynasty built a tomb - a sanctuary surrounded by huge statues 8 - 9 meters high - on the top of Mount Nemrut. The center of the tomb is a mound of small stones, on top of a mountain, 49.8 meters high and 150 meters wide at the base. Under the mound is the tomb of Antiochus I of Commagene (69-38 BC). The edges of the rocky peak on which the tomb is located are turned into large terraces on three sides. Two of them are decorated with five majestic seated statues 8 meters high: in the middle is the figure of Zeus, on the sides the personified “Commagene” and King Antiochus, on the edges are Apollo and Hercules.
King Antiochus was a perky guy with Armenian roots and delusions of grandeur. He claimed that his mother came from the family of Alexander the Great, and his father was a descendant of the Persian king Darius. He himself wanted to become famous no less than the Macedonian and did not come up with anything better than to create his own religion with himself at the head. In this religion, he tried to combine the traditions of the gods of the West (Greek) and the East (Zoroastrianism) and, like the kings of antiquity, ordered himself to be deified. He ordered his will to be engraved on the wall of the temple, which was supposed to immortalize his name: “My birthday should be celebrated every year and every month. On these days, let the chief priest burn incense in honor of the gods and me, and put the most exquisite dishes and wines on the festive tables, and let him drive cattle for sacrifice. My subjects gathered here must taste everything, and let there be a holiday.”
In principle, there is a version that this whole thing was built by aliens, because how could ancient people drag it to such a distance? high mountain 8-9 meter statues. But, in my opinion, although this entire sanctuary looks very impressive, the issues of complexity of construction disappear when you have slaves.
Like the Egyptian rulers, Antiochus built a kind of pyramid in the center of the tomb - a 50-meter mound of stones. However, the greatness of this project lies in the fact that the mound crowned a 2-kilometer mountain.
The terrace facing the eastern side was most revered; here, in addition to mystical statues, there is an altar in the form of a stepped pyramid and a stone wall. The ledges in the west and east of the tomb are connected by a gallery, at the entrance of which huge stone eagles sit. On the eastern terrace, in addition to the main altar, five wonderful, 8-9 m high, throne statues of King Antiochus I and the Greek, Western Asian and Iranian gods - Zeus-Ahuramazda, Apollo-Mithras-Helios, Artagenes-Heracles-Ares and the goddess Tyche of Commagene - have been preserved. Each statue was guarded by statues of lions and eagles standing on its sides. Nearby are four monumental reliefs depicting the king and four gods, as well as a relief with a horoscope, where the deified ruler is placed in the constellation Leo.
The mountain offers superb views of the Ataturk Reservoir. By the way, the third largest “lake” in Turkey.
The pyramid hill apparently contains the tomb of Antiochus, although archaeologists have still not been able to discover it. The lower part of the hill was surrounded by a stone wall, along the top of which there was a road for ceremonial processions, connecting three terraces located on the sides of the hill - from the east, west and north. For unknown reasons, the northern terrace remained unfinished, while the western and eastern ones were built according to the same plan, with the only difference being that on the eastern one there was a huge stone altar (apparently intended for performing ceremonial sacrifices in the light of the rising sun).
The statues on the western terrace are in much worse condition. On both terraces, six reliefs of the royal ancestors of Antiochus I also survived. Even today, fragments of these huge sculptures amaze tourists.
One interesting feature complex is the position of the gods. In both Greek and Persian culture, it was customary for statues of gods to stand. In exceptional cases - in the named temples of one or another god - the deity was given the right to sit on the throne. On Mount Nemrut-Dag the gods sit on their thrones, because, according to Antiochus, it was here that the gods found their refuge.
In the first picture are Hercules and Apollo, in the second are Apollo and Seryozha.
Sanctuary and mega mausoleum at Mount Nemrut dag- one of the most famous attractions of Turkey and the main sanctuary of the ancient. Photos of huge heads and offers to go on a tour to Nemrut Dag can be found in almost any travel agency in Turkey. But nevertheless, not everyone has been to Nemrut: not only a foreigner who came to Turkey (even who visited it more than once), but also a Turk permanently residing in Turkey. Firstly, it is located in the East of Turkey, quite far away. Secondly, visiting Nemrut is limited by the seasons (more on this in the forum thread). In general, Nemrut Dag is not only a mountain, but a whole National Park. And here you can see not only the pantheon of gods (those very heads), but also some other fragments that have come down to us from centuries ago, the kingdom of Commagene that was once located here.
Yes, one more thing. This Nemrut dag should not be confused with the Nemrut volcano of the same name, which is also located on the territory of modern Turkey near Lake Van. These are different mountains.
Nemrut Dag on the map of Turkey (clickable map)
Get to Nemrut Dag on your own
To get to Nemrut Dag on your own, you need to get to the city of Kahta. By plane or by railway can't get there. If there is no direct bus, then focus on Malatya, or better yet, Adıyaman. Dolmushi run from Adiyaman to Kyakhta approximately every 30 minutes.
There are airports in Adiyaman and Malatya. You can see which cities Malatya and Adiyaman are connected to by air on the forum about Turkey by looking at the websites of Turkish air carriers presented there. You can view and purchase plane tickets through the form in the upper right corner.
You can reach Malatya by rail. For details, see the forum about Turkey on the Turkish railway website. You can also get to Malatya and Adiyaman by (see list of bus companies)
Also, hotels in Kyakhta, Adiyaman, Malatya can be viewed through the hotel search form
Tours and excursions to Nemrut Dag
When visiting Nemrut Dag on your own without a car, it will be difficult to avoid a tour to Nemrut. Even if you are staying in Karadut, you will have to get to Nemrut on foot along a serpentine road of almost 12 kilometers, rising to an altitude of more than 2000 m. This is real for masochists. There are rides to Nemrut, although not frequent. But, of course, it depends on the time of day and the desire of people traveling to Nemrut in their cars to take you with them. So hitchhiking is possible, but not guaranteed.
Tours and individual trips to Nemrut Dag are organized by any guesthouses and hotels located in this region.
Tours and excursions to Nemrut Dag take place either at sunset or sunrise. Even if you get to Kyakhta late in the evening, you have the opportunity to leave to watch the sunrise the next night. Accordingly, if you arrive during the day, you have the opportunity to leave immediately for the next sunset. Also, if you come alone, it is possible to join a group to reduce the price of the tour. The main thing is that people are available.
Prices for tours and excursions to Nemrut Dag from Kyakhta are as follows (as of May 2010):
Tour covering only Nemrut (sunrise/sunset) – 70 liras per group
Excursion including Nemrut and surroundings: (Arsameya, Yeni Kale, Jendere Bridge, Karakus Tumulus):
if you are alone – 150 liras
in a group (from 4 people) – 75 liras
To meet the dawn, departure is at 3.00 a.m., return to Kyakhta is around 9.30 (if you took the Nemrut tour with the surrounding area). To meet the sunset - departure around 15.00. If you take a tour to Nemrut without visiting the surrounding area, then departure will be later and arrival will be earlier.
History of Nemrut and the Kingdom of Commagene
Once upon a time, or rather in the 2nd century BC. Mount Nemrut was located on the territory of the dwarf state of Commagene. But the state, although small, was proud. This was especially true for rulers. King Mithridates I, nicknamed Kalinikos (winner beautifully), organized his local Olympic Games here and took direct part in them. But King Antiochus I surpassed all kings. He had Greek and Persian roots. Having absorbed Western and Eastern worldviews, Antiochus created his own religion. And, at the same time, he counted himself among God. Mount Nemrut became the religious center. Here King Antiochus built a ritual complex. But Antiochus failed to spread his religion widely, as well as to complete the complex. After his death, construction stopped. After the disappearance of Commagene, Nemrut was forgotten. The crusaders discovered it. But strangely enough, this was forgotten too. Nemrut was rediscovered in 1881 by German engineer and geologist Karl Sester. Karl did not find what he was looking for, but he rediscovered Mira Nemrut Dag. However, Nemrut began to be studied seriously only in the middle of the 20th century.
Sights of Nemrut
The ritual complex on Mount Nemrut is as follows.
map of the sanctuary at Nemrut Dag
At the top of Mount Nemrut there are 3 terraces carved out - eastern, western and northern. They contain numerous statues of gods (up to 10 meters in height). Previously, these were solid sculptures.
But after the earthquake in these parts, heads fell. Now they stand near their bodies. The terraces surround a man-made hill 50 meters high and 152 meters in diameter. It is believed that somewhere in the depths of the hill, Antiochus himself is buried. But, unfortunately, for now these are just guesses and assumptions.
But before you see the treasured heads, you will have to overcome about 2 kilometers of walking along stone steps. They lead to the Eastern terrace of the sanctuary on Nemrut dag.
Eastern terrace of Nemrut dag
According to the reconstruction, the eastern terrace of the sanctuary on Nemrut looked like this
Today the picture of Nemrut dag is a little different
What is uncharacteristic is that the Gods are in a sitting position, not standing. According to Antiochus, this is the home of the Gods, and this is where their heavenly thrones are located. The figures are made of limestone, and the bodies of the gods are made of massive blocks. The figures were once polished. Now time has eaten them away in the most literal sense of the word. Gods from left to right
Tyche - goddess of fate
The gods are guarded by a lion and an eagle. Opposite the statues there is a platform on which the sacrificial fire was lit. Now this platform is used as comfortable spot for photographing. And also for watching the sunrise. After going around the hill we get to the Western Terrace
Western terrace of Nemrut dag
The Western terrace of Nemrut Dag is not as large as the Eastern one. And the gods here are closer to people, and do not look down on them. On the Western Terrace there are still the same characters: Antiochus, Tyche, etc.
On the sides of the figures are bas-reliefs of Antiochus's ancestors, both on the Persian and Greek sides.
Persian ancestral pedestal from left to right:
1. Darius I, 522-486 BC.
2. Xerxes I 486-464 BC.
3. Artaxerxes I 464-425 BC.
4 . Darius II Ochos 425-404 BC.
5. Artaxerxes II Mnemon 404-359 BC.
6. Orontes I (Aroandes) 401 BC
7. Princess Rhodogune, wife of Orontes
8. name unknown?
9. name unknown?
10. Samos 250 BC
11. name unknown, 230 BC
12. name unknown 223-187 BC.
13. Ptolemaios 163-130 BC.
14. Samos II 130-109 BC.
15. Mithridates Kallinikos 109 -? BC
Greek Ancestors Pedestal:
1. Alexander the Great 356-323 BC.
2. Seleucus I Nikator 304-279 BC.
3. Antiochus I Soter 279-262 BC.
4. Antiochus II Theos 261-246 BC.
5. Seleucus II Kallinikos 246-225 BC.
6. Seleucus III Soter 225-223 BC.
7. Antiochus III the Great 223-187 BC.
8. Seleucus IV Philopator 187-176 BC.
9. Antiochus IV Epiphanes 176-164 BC.
10. Demitrios I Soter 162-150 BC.
11. Demitrios II Nikator 145-125 BC.
12. Princess Cleopatra Thea, married Demitrios II
13. Antiochus VIII Grypos 125-96 BC
14. Princess Tryphaina, wife of Antiochus VIII
15. Princess Laodice Thea Philadelphus, wife of Mithridates
16. Princess Isias Philostorgos, wife of Antiochus I Theos
17. Antiochus Theos 86-36 BC
In addition to the above, an image of a lion was found on the Western Terrace of Nemrut. This is supposed to be a horoscope (read more about this in.
Northern terrace of Nemrut dag
The northern terrace of Nemrut Dag was intended for gathering people during ceremonies. From here the procession moved towards the Eastern Terrace. Almost nothing has survived on it.
Now there is nothing around Nemrut Dag except mountains. And before, it was part of the kingdom. Some of this kingdom can still be seen today. But this won’t be possible on foot, because... objects are located at a sufficiently large distance from each other
Other attractions in the Nemrut Daga area
Map of the surroundings of Nemrut dag
In the Nemrut Dag area, a number of sights from different times have been preserved.
map of the surroundings of Nemrut Dag (Arsameya, Karakus, Yeni Kale, bridge (clickable)
map source Lonely Planet
Arsameia
Arsamea is a summer residence built under the ancestral king of Commagene Arsemez I. Arsamea was founded in the 3rd century. BC. The city was not just a summer residence, but served as an administrative center. Today, all that remains of its former greatness is the following:
Stella to Apollo - Mithra with writings
A well-preserved bas-relief depicting King Mithridates shaking hands with a naked Hercules.
Nearby there is a 158-meter tunnel that leads to a small room in which religious rituals were performed. To go through the tunnel you will need a flashlight. Above the entrance there is a well-preserved inscription in Greek, which tells about the founding of Arsamea.
Another tunnel has also been preserved, but smaller.
In the same area is the grave of Mithridates Kalinikos, the organizer and participant of the local Olympic Games, and the ruins of his palace.
Yeni kale
The fact that there was a fortress on this site is stated in the inscriptions of Arsamea. But the fortress, or rather its ruins, which we see today, does not belong to the era of Commagene. The fortress was rebuilt by the Seljuks. And the Mamluks, who came here in the 13th century, gave the fortress the appearance the remains of which we can admire today... alas, only from the outside. In any case, at the time of my visit (May 2010), Yeni Kale was closed to visitors, because... the fortress is in a deplorable state (even, it seems, one of the tourists died there). According to stories, on the territory of the fortress there are various military and domestic structures. And there is even a pond. And there is also underground passage, leading from the fortress outside across the river.
The bridge from Seljuk times is also well preserved. It still performs its direct function today.
Cendere Bridge
The Jendere Bridge was built between 200 and 198 BC. e under Septimius Severus. Its length is 120 m, width - 7. The bridge consists of 92 stone blocks. Each block weighs about 10 tons.
On the Jendere Bridge there is an inscription stating that the bridge was built in honor of Septimus Severus, his wife and sons. In the original version, there were 4 Corinthian columns at the entrances to the bridge - 2 on each side. They symbolized Severus's family: his family, his wife and two sons - Goethe and Marcus Aurelius. Now there are 3 columns. One column of the Jendere Bridge did not just collapse (stolen, taken as material for construction). Everything is much sadder. During the struggle for power, Goethe would be killed by his brother. And in order to erase any memory of him, the column was also destroyed.
The Jendere Bridge is located at the narrowest point of the river. From here you can enjoy a beautiful view of the canyon along which you can walk.
Karakuş Tümülüs
Karakush tyumulus is a man-made burial mound, similar to the mound on Nemrut. Karakush Tyumulus family cemetery where the women of the royal family are buried. The mound was founded under Mithridates Kalikikos in honor of his mother Isias in the 1st century BC. Initially the mound was 35 meters high. It was surrounded by columns. How many columns there were originally - such information has not reached us. Today, 3 columns remain. One of them is with a statue of an eagle, and gave the name to the mound.
On the Tumulyus mound there is also a column with a bas-relief of a handshake and a sculpture of a lion.
There are tombs inside the mound. but they were plundered long before us - back in Roman times. It is also known that the Tumulyus mound was the site of religious ceremonies.
