Nemrud Dagi

The Sanctuary of Nemrud Dagi is one of the most remarkable, best preserved, but least known monuments of Asia Minor. The site is situated 2150m above sea level on the top of one of the highest peaks in the Anti-Taurus Mountains, near the banks of the Euphrates River. Nemrud Dagi was constructed by King Antiochus I of Commagene in the middle of 1 century BC and soon after its construction it became the major sanctuary of Antiochus where he organized annual celebrations. Representative of the Late Hellenistic period, Nemrud Dagi contains an astonishing array of sculptures, inscriptions, and architectural elements.

This exceptional mountain top shrine was barely known to local herders until its discovery in1881 by a geologist employed by the Ottoman government. Later, in 1953, archaeological excavations have conducted more precise surveys of the site and instituted a preservation program. Now each terrace of Nemrud Dagi bears a set of five colossal seated figures, each 8-10 m high, of King Antiochus and the Greco-Persian deities that he worshiped. The dozens of reliefs portraying Antiochus' glorious ancestors garbed in authentic for this period method are also a very important historical find. Numerous statues of lions and eagles guard the site's altars and entrance. Nemrud Dagi is truly a remarkable testimony to the skills of King Antiochus and his historians and artisans.