Turkey
Economy
Opinion
World
Arts & Life
Sports
Photo
Enchanting sunset at Mount Nemrut
Enchanting sunset at Mount Nemrut
Visitors snap photos of massive stone heads that stare down on them from the summit of Mount Nemrut. (Source: The Associated Press)
Perched at an altitude of 2,150 meters (over 7,000 feet), the statues are part of a temple and tomb complex that King Antiochus I, of the ancient Commagene kingdom, built as a monument to himself.
A 50 meter (164-foot) -high, man-made mound the presumed tomb of Antiochus sets the background.
Son of the founder of the Commagene kingdom, Antiochus reigned between 64 and 38 BC, until he was deposed by the Romans.
The kingdom spanned an area from the eastern edge of the Taurus mountains to the Euphrates River.
The ancient site which includes giant 10-meter (33-foot) -high, seated statues of Antiochus himself surrounded by ancient Gods, including Zeus and Apollo was discovered in 1881 by a German engineer.
Excavations began there in the 1950s.
Visitors climb to the site at dawn or at dusk to see the statues under the spectacular lighting. It’s also a favorite spot for stargazers to watch the night sky.
Today, the site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the monuments are among the best-known images of Turkey, featuring on postcards and Turkish tourism posters and ads.
ALL PHOTOS
Winter arrives in Turkey as snowfall hits metropolises
Kütahya province welcomes winter with snowfall
Ancient Dara captivates tourists
Ancient Patara lures visitors
Enchanting sunset scenery from 'Little Venice'
Blanket of snow covers renowned crater lake
Frozen Lake Çıldır lures visitors
Postcard-like winter views from Turkey's Bitlis
Domaniç Mountains astonish with winter scenery
