Around Kahta... Adiyaman's Archaeological Museum houses regional finds from the Lower Firat which date from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic ages. Good - quality kilims woven in bright colors sell for reasonable prices in the bazaar. Surrounding monuments include the ruins of an Abbasid citadel (restored by the Seljuks) and a 14th century Ulu Mosque. The discovery of an oil in the region has brought prosperity to Adiyaman. Adiyaman and Kahta (which has good accommodation and camping facilities), make good bases from which to visit Nemrut Dagi National Park. You can hire transportation in either town. On the summit of Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut), at an altitude of 2,150 meters - the highest mountain in Northern Mesopotamia - sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century BC by King Antiochus I of Commagene. The engineering involved in creating the artificial tumulus - flanked by terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Heracles, Tyche and Antiochus-continues to amaze visitors. Time has inflicted heavy damage on the sculptures; their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet. At ancient Eskikale (Arsameia of Nymphaios) a magnificent relief depicts Heracles greeting the Commagene king, Mithridates, in the ruins of what scholars believe might have been the Commagene Palace. Opposite this site, separated by the Eski Kahta river are the remains of the Yenikale (New Castle) built by the Mamluks. Other nearby sights include the Roman bridge at Cendere and another Commagene royal tumulus, Karakus. From Kahta you have a choice of roads in all directions. To the north lies Malatya, an agricultural centre without tourist significance except for the alternate route up "Nemrut Dagi"; and Divrigi, Sivas and Tokat, three towns important to the history of Seljuk Turkish architecture. Adiyaman's Archaeological Museum houses regional finds from the Lower Firat which date from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic ages. Good quality kilims woven in bright colors sell for reasonable prices in the bazaar. Surrounding monuments include the ruins of an Abbasid citadel (restored by the Seljuks) and a 14th century Ulu Mosque. The discovery of oil in the region has brought prosperity to Adiyaman. Adiyaman as well as Kahta (which has good accommodations and camping facilities), make good bases from which to visit Nemrut Dagi National Park. You can hire transportation in either town.

On the summit of Nemrut Dagi (Mount Nemrut) at an altitude of 2,150 meters - the highest mountain in North Mesepotamia - sits the gigantic funerary sanctuary erected in the first century B.C. by King Antiochos I of Commagene. The engineering involved in creating the artificial tumulus-flanked by terraces on which rest the colossal statues of Apollo, Zeus, Heracles, Tyche and Antiochus-continues to amaze visitors. Time has inflicted heavy damage on the sculptures; their torsos sit with their beautifully carved heads at their feet. At ancient Eskikale (Arsameia of Nymphaios) a magnificent relief depicts Heracles greeting the Commagene king, Mithiridates, in the ruins of what scholars believe might have been the Commagene Palace. Opposite this site separated by the Eski Kahta river are the remains of the Yenikale (New Castle) built by the Mamelouks. Other nearby sights include the Roman bridge at Cendere and another Commagene royal tumulus, Karakus.

Eski Kale is near Eski Kahta (Kocahisar) and is the ancient fortress of Arsameia, built with no small effort on a steep cliff. Its walls and parapets are still in good condition. On a special path, that was used for religious ceremonies leading up the mountain side, is a statue pointing the direction to the temple. Another 100 meters farther along is a Dexiosis relief showing a hand-shaking scene between King Mithradates and Hercules, carved in about 50 B.C. Near this relief are rooms hollowed into the rock that were particularly used for religious ceremonies. Following along this footpath still upward one comes to the largest rock inscription in Anatolia. It tells of the political intentions and the religious beliefs of the Commagene Kingdom, that Arsameia was its capital and that Mithridates, the father of Antioches I, was buried there. Just below this inscription is a large opening that descends by a stone stairway to a depth of 158 metres. This passageway leads to Arsameia but now it is blocked off half-way along. Above this inscription, following the path up the mountainside, are the foundations and mosaic floors of the Arsameia Palace.

Yeni Kale is the second fortress and is located in the village of Kocahisar just opposite Eski Kale. The Kahta River runs between the two. This fortress is built on a 300-350 metre high rock. Archeologists have proven it to be the fortress for the kings of Commagene. Certain additions were made in Mameluk times to give the appearance that it has today. The castle is surrounded by high walls with only one entrance gate. Inside are houses, shopping areas, a bazaar, a mosque, cisterns, a jail and a dungeon.