Adiyaman, Places to Visit and Tourist Attractions

This content was last updated on 24.01.2024 22:20

Adıyaman is a historical settlement whose roots go back to ancient times. Therefore, there are many places to visit and see in the city in terms of both natural beauty and historical richness. So, what are the places to visit in Adıyaman? Let's see these places together.

Where is Adiyaman

Adıyaman is a city in Turkey's Southeastern Anatolia Region, located in the Middle Euphrates section. Adjacent to Malatya in the north, Kahramanmaraş in the west, Diyarbakır in the east, Adıyaman's other neighbors are; Gaziantep in the southwest and Şanlıurfa in the southeast. The city is in a very important position in terms of transportation, as it acts as a bridge between the Eastern Anatolia and the Southeastern Anatolia region. There has been an airport in Adıyaman since 1998; transportation is very easy.

When Should I Visit

Adıyaman has a dry and cool climate in summers and a cold and snowy climate in winters. Therefore, the best time to travel to Adıyaman is between May and September, when the weather is milder.

How to go to Adıyaman

Adıyaman has an airport since 1998. For this reason, we can say that it is quite easy to reach Adıyaman from the big cities in Turkey. Of course, it is also possible to reach the city by road. If you are in a city in Turkey, you can easily reach Adıyaman by using the intercity bus companies you are in.

Most Popular Places and Landmarks in Adiyaman

1. Mount Nemrut National Park

Famous for its ruins, statues and inscriptions belonging to the Kingdom of Commagene in the Late Hellenistic Period, Mount Nemrut is one of Turkey's most popular historical assets. Located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman (about 85 km from the city centre), Mount Nemrut is a part of the Taurus mountain range.

It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. It was taken under protection in 1988 under the name of "Nemrut Mountain National Park". Nemrut Mountain, which hosts thousands of tourists every year, has a height of 2150 meters. Mount Nemrut, which has a magnificent view, is especially preferred for watching the sunrise and sunset.

Since ancient times, many legends have been told about Mount Nemrut, which attracts everyone's attention with its mysterious atmosphere. The most well-known of these legends are as follows:

According to a rumor, Mount Nemrut takes its name from the Babylonian ruler named Nemrut (who threw Prophet Abraham into fire). Mount Nemrut has different meanings in terms of Christianity, Judaism and Islamic history. However, a legend told among the people is quite common. According to the legend, a great kingdom ruled on Mount Nemrut. At that time, people could live to be a thousand years old. The King of Nimrod was also exactly a thousand years old. The king, who lived to be a thousand years old, had a five-hundred-year-old son.

The king was very fond of his only child, his son. One day, the king's son went to the edge of Lake Van to play. But the son, who fell into the lake and drowned, unfortunately lost his life. The king, who received the bad news, was very upset. He was so upset that he fell on the bed and fell ill. A cure could not be found for the king, who fell ill with an incurable disease. The king, who was on his deathbed, got up from his sick bed one day and turned his face to Mount Nemrut: "My son is five hundred years old. If I had known there is death in the world, I would not have put the head on the stone." he exclaimed.

The king's cry echoed on the stones of the mountain, and it multiplied and returned. Afterwards, the King, who could not bear the pain he experienced any longer, died of sadness. In the face of this event, Mount Nemrut exploded due to the sadness he felt and spread fire everywhere. This was the last volcanic eruption on Mount Nemrut. It is believed that Mount Nemrut, which did not become operational after that day, mourns the death of the king and his son, and this legend is told from generation to generation.

Why should I go?

Mount Nemrut, which was equipped with gigantic statues by the Commagene Kingdom in the 1st century BC, is also called the "Mountain of the Gods" because of the statues of Antiochos and god-goddess on the east and west terraces. The Commagene king Antiochos Theos had his own tomb-temple built on Mount Nemrut in 62 BC, as well as statues of Greek and Persian gods. The tomb is decorated with divine stone carved figures such as an eagle's head.

Some excavations were carried out in the tomb by the German engineer Karl Sester in 1881; However, during the archaeological studies carried out in the following years, the tomb of King Antiochos could not be found. Famous stone statues on the mountain represent King Antiochus (Theos), Heracles (Ares-Artagnes), Zeus (Oromasdes), Fortuna (Commagene goddess) and Apollo (Mithras).

In addition, how the famous stones of Mount Nemrut were transported there and the mysteries in the structure of the tumulus have not yet been fully discovered. Therefore, there are even those who think that Mount Nemrut is an alien base! In addition, "Eskikale, Yenikale, Karakuş Tepe and Cendere Bridge" are among the other historical structures that should be seen in Nemrut Mountain National Park.

You can visit Mount Nemrut National Park between 06:00 and 21:00 every day. But it is especially recommended to watch the sunrise or sunset.

2. Cendere Bridge

Cendere Bridge is located on the Cendere Stream, which is approximately 20 km from the city center. Cendere Bridge, which is the oldest historical bridge still in use in the world, is visited by thousands of people every year. Cendere Bridge, also known as "Roman Bridge" and "Septimius Severus", has a history of 3200 years.

The width of the bridge, which is 120 meters long, is 7 meters. Considering the details of the bridge, which you can visit free of charge every day of the year, it is one of the must-see historical places of Adıyaman.

3. Arsemia Ancient City

Arsemia Ancient City is an ancient city located in the Kahta district of Adıyaman, and the texture of history is well preserved and makes its visitors feel this successfully. It is approximately 65 kilometers from the city center. Arsemia Ancient City was founded in the 3rd century BC by Arsemes, the ancestor of the Commagene Kingdom. The ancient city of Arsemia, also known as the "Castle" at the time, was used as the summer capital and administrative center of the Commagene Kingdom.

You can visit Arsemia Ancient City free of charge on any day and at any time.

4. Palanlı Cave

Another historical place on the list of places to visit in Adıyaman is Palanlı Cave.

Palanlı Cave, located approximately 10 km from the city center, is a natural cave that was used in 40 thousand years BC.

On the sooty walls of the cave, there are still historical drawings (the most well-known mountain goat figure) from that time. The deep valley where Palanlı Cave is located, which is a registered archaeological site, is a rare piece of nature.

5. Çelikhan Fountain

It is known that this fountain, which has a large number of visitors, both domestic and foreign, is good for stomach and intestinal diseases. The healing of the water flowing from this fountain, which has also been approved by many academicians, increases the interest of people in this region. Çelikhan spring is located 19 kilometers from the center.

6. Perre Ancient City and Rock Tombs

It is thought that the history of the ancient city of Perre, which is only 5 km away from Adıyaman city center, dates back to the Hellenistic period and was used as a settlement during the Komagene period. The Ancient City of Perre was one of the five largest cities of the Komagene Kingdom and was in a very important geopolitical position during its time. It is possible to visit the Roman fountain and some of the walls, which have survived from the ancient city and are still in use. There are around 200 tombs made by carving the rocks in the ancient city, which lived its brightest period in the Byzantine period.

7. Adıyaman Museum

Adıyaman Museum is a single-storey, large and modern museum with a garden in the most beautiful part of the city center. In the museum, which has been in service since 1982, the works are exhibited in the inner garden with the two large halls and the intermediate hall connecting this hall. The museum has become the richest museum in the region with the artifacts found in the excavations in the Lower Euphrates Region, purchased and brought by other means.

The museum exhibits terracotta pots from the Chalcolithic Period, hand axes, drillers and cutters from the Paleolithic Period, ornaments from the Bronze Age, and ceramic pots from the Roman and Islamic Periods. In addition, seals from different periods, human and animal figures, women's and men's jewelry, gold, silver, bronze coins, mosaics and ethnographic artifacts belonging to the region are also exhibited.

8. Karakus Tumulus

The Karakuş Tumulus, named after the eagle statue on the column in the south, is located in the Mount Nemrut National Park. Karakuş Tumulus, a very important mausoleum from the Komagene Kingdom period, is one of the must-visit spots for visitors to the region. Next to this 9-meter-high mausoleum, there is also another mausoleum consisting of 21-meter-high cobblestones.

9. Keleş Mansion

Keleş Mansion, a magnificent example of historical Adıyaman houses, is located in the center of Adıyaman, near Ulucami. There are many valuable objects reflecting Adıyaman and the Southeast region in the mansion, which was restored and brought to tourism by the municipality in 2012. In addition, handcrafted furniture and hand-woven carpets brought from Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Mersin constitute some of the local products found in the mansion.

Serving as a seminar, meeting, conversation and resting place, you should definitely add the mansion to the list of places to visit in Adıyaman. In addition, Keleş Mansion hosts many cultural activities such as artistic galleries, temporary photography and painting exhibitions. Visiting the Keles mansion is free of charge.

10. Oturakçı Market

Oturakçı Market is located in Adıyaman city center. Tourists who come to Adıyaman definitely stop by this historical bazaar and buy souvenirs symbolizing Adıyaman for their loved ones. There is almost nothing you can't find in the market. You can find many handcrafted local products such as carpets, rugs, bags and saddlebags at Oturakçı Market. In addition, Adıyaman's famous grapes, fruit pulp and amulets can be found in Şire Pazarı, which is located in the bazaar. Add this historical market, which symbolizes the city, to your list of places to visit in Adıyaman.