Sunset on Turkey’s massive stone heads draws tourists in droves

Visitors snap photos of massive stone heads that stare down on them from the summit of Mount Nemrut, in Turkey’s southeastern Adiyaman province, their faces illuminated by sunset lighting.

Perched at an altitude of 2,150 metres (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 metre (164-foot) — high, man-made mound — the presumed tomb of Antiochus — sets the background.

Tourists take photos at the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman. AP

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.

Massive stone head statues are seen at the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman. AP

The ancient site — which includes giant 10-metre (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.

Tourists visit the archaeological site of Mount Nemrut in Adiyaman. AP

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.

Visitors climb to the site at dawn or at dusk to see the statues under the spectacular lighting. It’s also a favourite spot for stargazers to watch the night sky.