Nemrut - New Castle
Nemrut is one of the most astounding sites in Turkey: A collection of colossal statues on a remote mountain (Nemrut) 2150m high, adorning the temple and tomb of King Antiochus. It was unknown until 1881. Nemrut has since been a significant attraction.
Breaking away from the Seleucid Empire, Mithridates I Callinicus founded the independent Commagene Kingdom in 109 BC. After his death in 64 BC, he was succeeded by his son Antiochus. Antiochus deemed himself worthy of god-like status, and ordered the building of a temple and funerary mound in his honor. Its size and location was a reflection of his ego and thoughts of his immortality. He believed that when he died his spirit would join the god Zeus in heaven.
Nemrut has been designated a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, and is one of the most important National Parks of the country. In addition to the statues, the site includes art from the Commagene civilization, the Eskikale (Old Castle), Yenikale (New Castle), Karakus Hill and Cendere Bridge.
Near the village of Kocahisar (Eski Kahta), Yeni Kale was constructed by the Commagenes and used alongside Arsameia, opposite. The castle, which was restored by the Romans and then the Mamluks, had its most recent
renovations in the 1970s. Within the site are a bazaar, mosque, dungeon, aqueducts, dovecote ruins and various inscriptions. The aqueduct, which descends from the castle to Nymphois, is connected to Arsameia via a tunnel, with
water reachable via this 80m route.