Places to Visit in Adıyaman with Location & Detailed List

How to get there: It is within walking distance of Adıyaman city center.

Address: Atatürk Boulevard Center/ Adıyaman

Nemrut Archaeological Site is in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. Located on Mount Nemrut at an altitude of 2,150 meters, the site contains the tomb of King Antiochus I of Commagene, built to show his gratitude to the gods and ancestors, and giant statues.

The most famous king of the Commagene Kingdom, which ruled the region for approximately 200 years, was Antiochus I Theos. Although the exact dates of the Commagene kings' accession to the throne are not known, sources indicate that Antiochus I reigned approximately between 70-32 BC. Antiochus I declared himself a god (theos) and had a sanctuary built on the summit of Mount Nemrut while he was still alive to immortalize his name.

This sacred site, one of the most magnificent ruins of the Hellenistic period, consists of the tumulus, which is the mausoleum of King Antiochus I, and colossal statues and relief steles positioned on terraces surrounding the tumulus on three sides.

The tumulus, known to be the mausoleum built by Antiochus I for himself, was formed by piling up small crushed rocks and pebbles. Today, it is approximately 50 meters high and 150 meters in diameter. Although inscriptions state that the king's grave is here, the burial chamber has not been discovered to date. It is thought that the king's bones or ashes were placed in a chamber carved into the main rock and protected by creating an artificial hill (tumulus).

The monumental statues of Mount Nemrut are spread over three sides of the tumulus, the eastern, western and northern terraces of Mount Nemrut. Of the three terraces, the eastern terrace is the one that has best preserved its integrity to the present day.

The statues on the east and west terraces are identical except for minor details. They are made of limestone blocks in the Greco-Persian style. The giant statues of gods, which are approximately 8-10 meters high and seated on thrones, have today partly collapsed stone bodies and their heads are lined up in front of them.

The statues of gods, flanked by a lion and an eagle, are, from left to right, the god-king Antiochus I, the mother goddess of the country, Commagene, the chief god Zeus, Apollo and Heracles. The guardian lion represents the kingdom's dominance over the earth; the guardian eagle represents the kingdom's dominance over the sky. The statues are positioned to face the horizon. On the backs of the pedestals that form the thrones on which the statues of gods sit on both terraces, there is a 237-line inscription, the religious and social testament (nomos) of King Antiochus I.

How to get there: Mount Nemrut is a direct 87 km from the city center. It is 43 km from Kahta district. Transportation to Nemrut is asphalted up to Karadut village, and the rest is covered with interlocking paving stones. Transportation can be provided by tours or private vehicles.

Sofraz Tumulus is located in Sofraz village of Besni district of Adıyaman. It is estimated that the tumulus-shaped monumental tombs may have been built during the Roman period in the 1st-2nd centuries AD.

The tomb structure consists of three spaces: dromos (front entrance), passage corridor and tomb chamber. The tomb chamber made of cut stone is reached after a long vaulted tomb entrance. Inside this tomb chamber, in front of the east and west walls, there are two sarcophagi. The sarcophagi are made of limestone and have lids. The Small Tumulus is approximately 1 kilometer from the Large Tumulus. The tumulus, which is approximately 4 meters high, is entered through a dromos consisting of steps carved into the rock. In the vaulted tomb chambers made of cut stone, which are reached after the long tomb entrance, which is 10 meters high, there are sarcophagi that do not have lids today.

How to get there: Karaagac Ucgoz/Besni/Adiyaman

Arsameia (Arsemia) Ancient City is located 26 kilometers from Kahta district of Adıyaman. Also known as Nymphaios Arsameia , the city was founded in the early 2nd century BC by Arsemez (Arsames) , the ancestor of the Commagenes, as the summer capital and administrative center of the kingdom, east of the Kahta Stream, opposite the old Kahta Castle, according to the inscriptions of King Antiochus I.

Most of the works that have survived to the present day at the Arsameia Archaeological Site were built by King Antiochus I. The ruins of a summer palace are located on the hill at the site. There is also a monumental tomb built for King Mithridates I Callinichos , father of Antiochus I, on the platform on the hill. On the southern ceremonial path leading to the monumental tomb is a relief stele of Mithridates.

The longest Greek inscription of its time found in Anatolia so far is located in Arsameia.

The inscription mentions the foundation of the city, the construction activities carried out by Antiochus I for Arsameia, the architectural structures and reliefs in the region, religious structures, the laws of the Kingdom of Commagene, the royal lineage and issues to be done during religious ceremonies. Above the inscription is a stele of King Antiochus I and the God Herakles shaking hands. Below the inscription is a tunnel that leads down with steps at a high slope. The purpose of this rock tunnel, which is approximately 158 meters long, has not been determined.

On the platform on the hill is the tomb temple and palace of Mithridathes Callinichos .

How to get there: It is at the 60th km on the Adıyaman Kahta Nemrut Road. Transportation is provided by private vehicles and tours.

Cendere Bridge is located at the Sincik-Kocahisar junction, approximately 10 kilometers after the Karakuş Tumulus , on the way from the Kahta district of Adıyaman to Mount Nemrut.

The bridge is also known as the Roman Bridge or Septimius Severus Bridge . It was built on the Cabinas (Cendere) River by the XVIth Legion, which was headquartered in Samsat (Somasata) at the time, on the orders of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus (193-211 AD). The bridge was named Cendere because it connected the two sides of the river flowing through a magnificent canyon.

The Cendere Bridge is a magnificent monumental example of Ancient Roman architecture. The bridge, which consists of two arches, one main arch and one relief arch, is made of smooth cut stones, each weighing tons. The most interesting architectural feature of the bridge, which is 7 meters wide, 30 meters high and 120 meters long, is that it was built without using mortar. The bridge rises in the form of a ramp on both sides and meets in the middle. This feature increases the static durability of the bridge and gives it a monumental appearance.

After the construction of the Cendere Bridge, It is understood from the inscriptions on the railing of the bridge that it was repaired at various times during the Roman period.

How to get there: It is 55 km on the Sincik road in Adıyaman Kahta district. Transportation from the center is provided by private vehicles or tours.

Perre (Pirin) Ancient City is located in the Örenli neighborhood in the center of Adıyaman.

Perre, one of the five major cities of the Kingdom of Commagene, had geopolitical importance due to its location on important road routes. Ancient sources mention the beauty of its water, and describe the city as a resting place for caravans, travelers and armies. The "Roman Fountain" from which the water flows is still in use today.

The city connected the ancient West to Persia during the Byzantine period and was called Hierapolis , meaning the holy city, during this period. Its participation in the Council of Nicaea, which convened in Nicaea (Iznik) in 325 AD, shows that the city was also an important center in terms of religion.

Perre Ancient City has the largest necropolis in the region. The burial chambers carved into the rocks are remarkable. There are also cisterns, wine workshops and Byzantine period wall structures in this area. During the excavations carried out at the site, mosaic areas dating back to the 5th century BC were unearthed.

How to get there: It is on the 5th kilometer of the Adıyaman Center Malatya road. Transportation is provided by college minibuses.

The Seljuk Bridge is located within the borders of Kocahisar (old Kahta) village of Adıyaman, on the Kahta Stream (Nymphaios) to the south of Yenikale. It has a pointed arched structure made of smooth cut stone. There is no inscription on the bridge. The bridge, which is called the Seljuk Bridge among the public, is thought to have been built during the Seljuk period based on its architectural structure.

How to get there: It is within the borders of Koç Hisay village in Adıyaman Kahta district. Transportation is provided by private vehicles or tours.

The Karakuş Tumulus is located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman. It was built by King Mithridates II for his mother Isias as a burial place for the Commagene family. Since other women from the royal family were later buried here, the tumulus is also known as the women's monumental tomb.

The tumulus, which is approximately 110 meters in diameter, was 30 meters high when it was first built, and today it is approximately 20 meters high. Of the six columns built around the tumulus, only four have survived to the present day. On the south side of the tumulus, there is a column with an eagle statue on it, which the locals call “karakuş”. The column that gave the tumulus its name in literature is approximately 2.5 meters high. In the northeast, there is a column without a statue and another column with a bull statue missing its head.

On the single column in the northwest, there is a tablet with reliefs of King Mithridates II of Commagene and his sister Laodice, as well as a lion statue standing on the ground because the column in this area collapsed.

After the Kingdom of Commagene was annexed by the Roman Empire, the Karakuş Tumulus and burial chambers were destroyed; the stones weighing tons from the Karakuş hill, which was originally surrounded by walls, were used in the construction of the Cendere Bridge.

Karakuş Tumulus has been determined as the entrance point of Mount Nemrut National Park and is located within the national park.

How to get there: Transportation is provided by vehicles 20 kilometers north of Kahta District. Adıyaman / Kahta

Turuş Rock Tombs

It is located 40 kilometers from Adıyaman and 1 kilometer west of the Adıyaman-Şanlıurfa highway. Turuş rock tombs date back to the Roman period. The tombs were carved from the ground down into the main rock. The tombs can be reached after 10-13 steps down. There are various figures and reliefs on the walls and doorways of some rock tombs.

Haydaran Rock Tombs

It is located within the borders of Taşgedik village, 17 kilometers north of Adıyaman. There are also reliefs of the Sun God Helios and King Antiochus shaking hands here.

How to get there: It is 5 km on the Adıyaman Center Malatya road. Transportation is provided by college minibuses.

The tomb of Prophet Uzeyir is in the Gerger district of Adıyaman. A mosque was recently built in the area where the tomb is thought to be located.

According to the Israelites, the name of Uzair, a famous prophet, is mentioned in the Quran. However, according to Islam, there is a dispute as to whether he was a prophet or not. Scholars have different interpretations of the name Uzair. According to some scholars, his name is an Arabic name. According to some scholars, the word "Uzair" is not Arabic, but Hebrew. (al-Ukbari, Imlau Ma Menne Bihi'r-Rahman, Egypt, 1961, II, 7). The equivalent of the name Uzair in Hebrew is "Ezra". It appears as such in the copy of the Torah in this language. (Biblio Hobraica, nsr. Rud. Kittel, Stuttgart, 1952; Esra, VII,1; Nehemio, VIII,13).

The story of Prophet Uzair, whose name is clearly mentioned in Surah At-Tawbah (verses 9:30-31), is also narrated in Surah Al-Baqarah. The verse that is said to be about Prophet Uzair is as follows: “Or have you not seen the one who passed by a deserted town whose roofs and walls had collapsed on him? He said, “How will Allah revive them after their death?” Allah immediately caused him to die and then brought him back to life after a hundred years. He asked, “How long have you stayed here?” He said, “A day or an hour.” Allah said to him, “Rather, you have stayed for a hundred years. Look at your food and your drink; it has not rotted. And look at your donkey. That We may make you a sign for mankind. Now look at the bones, how We put them on top of each other and how We clothe it with flesh.” When the situation became clear to him, he said, 'I must know that Allah has power over all things.'" (Baqara, 2/259).

Whether he was a prophet or not, Ezra was a perfect person who believed in Allah completely, a person of faith. Throughout his life, he ran to do good to gain Allah's consent. He invited the people around him to believe in the same way and to comply with Allah's commands and prohibitions.

Today, the presence of barley-shaped stones around the tomb is accepted by the local people as a sign of this person's miracle.

How to get there: It is on the Adıyaman Gerger District road route. Transportation is provided by private vehicles.

Who is Abuzer Gaffari?

It is said that he was one of the companions of the Prophet. It is narrated that he was martyred by the enemies while fighting in Adıyaman and was buried here.

Where is the Tomb of Abuzer Ghaffari?

Abuzer Gaffari Tomb is located in Ziyaret Village, approximately 5 kilometers from Adıyaman city center. It is one of the most well-known places of pilgrimage in Adıyaman. It is said that the tomb was built by Murat IV on his return from the Baghdad expedition.

How to get there: Adıyaman / Center

Address: Ziyaretpayamlı/Adıyaman Center

The New Castle is located in the Kocahisar village (old Kahta) of Adıyaman Kahta district. The castle, whose first construction date goes back to the Hittites, has its current form from the Mamluk period and was also used during the Ottoman period.

It is known that the castle fell into the hands of Urartians, Parthians, Commagenes, Romans, Sassanids and Arabs throughout history. There are many inscriptions in the castle, including on the entrance gate of the castle, in the mosque, on the eastern bastion and on the entrance gate of the palace.

The inscription on the castle entrance gate mentions the name of Mamluk Sultan Kalaun, the inscription on the mosque mentions the name of Melik Eşref Selahaddin Halil, and the inscription on the palace entrance gate mentions the name of Melik Nasır. Inside the castle are a mosque, a prison and dungeon, a tower where carrier pigeons are raised, cisterns, a bathhouse and a secret waterway leading down to the Kahta River (Nymphaios).

How to get there: It is 60 kilometers away on the Nemrut Mountain road in Adıyaman Kahta district. Transportation is provided by private vehicles or tours.

Gerger Castle is located in the village of Oymaklı in Adıyaman. Its history dates back to the Late Hittite Principalities. However, it is known that the ancient city of Gerger was founded in the 3rd century BC during the reign of the Seleucid king named Arsames . The city was also called Euphrates Arsameya in the 2nd century BC.

The castle is located on a steep rock and is surrounded by strong walls. On the surface of a large rock there is a huge relief of approximately four meters high of King Samos (140-100 BC), the father of King Mithridates Kallinichos of Commagene and the founder of Somosata (Samsat), the capital of the Kingdom of Commagene, and Greek inscriptions. It is known that the Mamluks ruled Gerger Castle for a long time in later periods and carried out construction work. It is possible to see the remains of mosques, shops, water cisterns and similar social structures inside the castle, which was also used in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods.

How to get there: Eski Gerger or Nefs-i Gerger is located in Oymaklı Village. Transportation is provided by private vehicles.

The Adıyaman Grand Mosque is located in the city center. The mosque, which was built in the early 16th century during the Dulkadiroğulları Principality, was later repaired many times. The inscription indicating that the mosque was built in its current form in 1863 is located on the upper surface of the minaret base facing east. Another inscription found in the same place, below, inside the arch, indicates that the mosque was restored in 1902.

The mosque, which is a registered immovable cultural asset, was destroyed in the 2023 earthquake. Restoration work has been initiated in the mosque and is planned to be completed in 2025.

How to get there: It is within walking distance of Adıyaman center.

Palanlı Cave is located 10 kilometers north of Adıyaman, on the Adıyaman-Çelikhan-Malatya highway, within the borders of Palanlı village. It is a natural cave thought to have been used in 40 thousand BC.

The mountain goat figure on the wall, which is still noticeable, was created with simple contour lines. The cave is registered as an archaeological site.

How to get there: Palanlı/Adıyaman

Mor Petrus and Mor Paulus Church is located in the center of Adıyaman. Also known as St. Paul's Church , the church is currently used by the Syriac community. It is estimated to have been built in the 4th or 5th century.

The church, which extends in the east-west direction, has a three-nave basilica plan. According to the Syriac inscriptions on the entrance door and inside, it was repaired in 1888 and 1905. The wooden altar in the apse was made by Syriac masters from Urfa in 1890. The upper floor of the narthex in the west opens to the interior.

Extensive restoration work is being carried out in the church, which was damaged in the 2023 earthquake.

How to get there: It is located in Adıyaman center, within walking distance.

It is understood from the inscription on the entrance door of the mosque, which was built in 1768, that it was renovated in 1923. There is also a summer mosque next to the mosque, which was restored by the General Directorate of Foundations in 2010.

The mosque is made of regular cut stone and is covered with a wooden dome with lath plaster, the only example in the region. In the northern part, there is a narthex with two mihrabs and a flat wooden ceiling. The mihrab on the qibla wall is made of cut stone with muqarnas arches. The mosque's pulpit is made of walnut. The minaret, which is located independently in the northwest part, has a square base, a cylindrical body and a single balcony.

It was damaged in the earthquake that occurred in 2023.

How to get there: It is located in Adıyaman Center. It is within walking distance.

Vijne Bridge is within the borders of Yaylacık village of Gölbaşı district of Adıyaman. The bridge, built at a narrow point of Göksu River, provides passage to Tut district. The arch parts are made of regular cut stone and the other parts are made of rubble stone. It has two arches, one main and the other evacuated. Since the evacuated arch is collapsed, the passage is provided by wooden beams.

The bridge collapsed in the earthquake that occurred in 2023.

How to get there: It is within the borders of Yaylacık Village, Harmanlı Town, Gölbaşı District.

To see Adıyaman camping areas on the map and find out the distance to your location, you can visit our Adıyaman Camping Areas map and our Adıyaman Places to Visit map for Adıyaman Travel Guide .

For all our articles about Adıyaman, you can visit our Adıyaman Outdoor, Tourism and Travel Guide page.

To get detailed information about camping and caravaning and to see all our articles, you can visit our TurkeyOutdoor Camping Guide page.

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