The mystery of the stone heads on Mount Nemrut Dag in Turkey. Nemrut Dag - sanctuary of the ancient gods of Commagene What to take with you

After Hasankeyf, we headed towards another interesting attraction - the Nemrut Dağ mountain. On the way, we passed through the city of Diyarbakir, without taking a walk along the ancient fortress wall. We visited the closed university campus and had dinner with a wonderful university teacher. We reached Adiyaman, and were 47 km from the foot of the mountain. Then we took a minibus (dolmushi) to Kyakhta (Kahna). There were 24 km left to the mountain) Before we had time to take our backpacks out of the minibus, a very sociable man approached us and offered us an excursion to Nemrut Dag. We planned to get there on our own, but still, out of curiosity, we followed him. Of course, he began to assure us that we would not be able to get there on our own, at least today. We resisted, especially since the initial price of 40 euros (1,800 rubles) per person was high. But he was ready to bargain and I decided to try) I remembered that many of my auctions in Nepal were very successful) During the bidding process, it became clear that we needed each other and the only question was who would give in first. In the end, we settled on 110 liras (1870 rubles) for two, including camping accommodation. We refused to stay in the room and pitched a tent under a mulberry tree. As a bonus, we received a shower, the ability to charge gadgets and wi-fi. Out of habit, we cooked ourselves.
The excursion option we chose included: delivery to the mountain at dawn, an independent walk along it and a self-guided tour of the surrounding area. The entire excursion was planned for 6 hours.

And what interesting things can you see on Mount Nemrut Dag? Here, at an altitude of 2150 m above sea level, there is an amazing “mausoleum”. In the 1st century BC. the tomb of King Antiochus I was built, surrounded by huge statues eight meters high. The edges of the rocky peak have been turned into terraces: western, eastern and northern. After a strong earthquake, the stone heads of the statues “fell from their shoulders” and now stand next to “their bodies.” Photos of these huge heads, in the rays of the dawn or sunset sun, attracted my attention when preparing for the trip. Unique since 1987 archaeological sites at the top of the mountain are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

May, 23rd
Early rise, at 3.00, quick preparations, and in complete darkness we drove to Mount Nemrug. We drove and realized that getting there on our own would not be easy and would take quite a long time. Sometimes excursions have beneficial features) The car brought us very close to the top; a stone path led up. Of course, we are not alone in our interest in antiquity) Several groups of tourists went up with us.

01. Stone heads before dawn. East terrace

03. Zeus begins to collapse and a frame is made for him

I must say that it was quite cold and windy at the top. Many observers prudently put on down jackets and grabbed blankets.

04. I dressed lightly and was frankly freezing)

05. Other observers)

06. And again stone heads

07. The “bodies” of the statues are visible above

08. Hermes and Hercules

09. Dawn begins, full of drama...)

12. View from the top

13. Transition to the western terrace

15. Antiochus

16. Bar-reliefs of the ancestors of Antiochus

After dawn it became noticeably warmer and looking at the stone sculptures became much more pleasant)

22. Foggy view from the mountain

23. Roman :)

29. Signs to the terraces

We went down to the car waiting for us and drove on. If you wish, here under the mountain you can have a snack in a cafe or buy souvenir stone heads.

30. View from the road.

31. Oleander flowers. The plant is poisonous and is not recommended to eat.

33. Ruins of the Yeni Kale fortress

35. View from the bridge

36. Ruins of the fortress, view from the bridge

37. Cendere Bridge (CENDERE KÖPRÜSÜ)

39. View from the bridge

41. The length of the bridge is 120 m, width 7 m, it consists of 92 stone blocks

42. The bridge offers a beautiful view of the canyon

Karakush tyumulus is a man-made burial mound, similar to the mound on Nemrut. Karakush Tyumulus family cemetery where the women of the royal family are buried. The mound was founded under Mithridates Kalikikos in honor of his mother Isias in the 1st century BC.

43. Eagle statue on the mound

46. ​​Eagle on top of the statue

47. Not very well preserved figure

48. They open from the mound beautiful views

The mound was the last point of our auto-excursion and at about 9 o’clock we returned to the campsite. The excursion turned out to be very interesting and certainly worth the money spent. At the campsite we slept, had lunch, bought souvenir stone heads and moved on. We got to Adiyaman in the back of a truck, in a cheerful company)

Adiyaman was remembered for its heat and delicious juice from mulberries.

56. Delicious mulberries)

57. Local grandfathers:)

We didn't stay long in Adiyaman and continued on our way towards the sea. How can you travel so much around Turkey and still not swim in the sea)
Stay tuned!

In the southeastern part of Turkey, somewhere in the middle between the large cities of Malatya and Adiyaman, there is one place that is quite rarely visited by both civilian tourists and independent travelers. Meanwhile, this natural and historical attraction deserves (in my opinion) a mandatory visit - and if you suddenly find yourself in those parts, I strongly recommend making at least a one-day trip there.

This place is called Nemrut Dagi National Park, or simply Nemrut. And the mesmerizing peak of the mountain of the same name not only rises above the surrounding area to a height of 2150 meters, but also hides unique monuments carved from stone by ancient architects more than 2000 years ago.

When I reached the provincial capital, large city Adiyaman, the first thing he did was visit the local tourist information office, where he learned about this main local attraction. Having asked in detail about the national park itself and the ways to get to it (and at the same time taking a break from the rather noticeable heat that reigned in the south of Turkey even at the end of October), I soon found myself on the highway and moved towards my intended goal.

In the first car I reached the intermediate stop - the town of Kyakhta, and there a Ford minibus filled with wooden boxes with large green apples had already stopped. Behind the wheel was a young guy, about my age, named Mehmet, who turned out to be a very agile and enterprising businessman. He had his own general store, like ours, “within walking distance” in his native village, and he was also engaged in buying apple harvests from surrounding small farmers, and therefore drove around in his van around remote and not very mountainous villages.

In general, this cheerful and very talkative Mehmet offered to stay at his home for a few days, but with one condition: I would have to help with a feasible contribution in his difficult apple business. I, of course, agreed: firstly, his village Narince was located not far from Nemrut Park, and it would be very convenient to use it as a base for a one-day trip to the mountain; and, secondly, it was very interesting for me to plunge into the ordinary rural life of a Turkish village, at least for a few days, and to visit, together with Mehmet, in remote mountain villages where civilian tourists do not go.

However, I will colorfully describe how we did the “apple business the Turkish way” in a separate story, but here I will tell you about the day when I made a foray to Mount Nemrut.

Early on a sunny morning, having stocked up with a small supply of provisions and a bottle of water, I, with a small “city” backpack over my shoulders, made my way to the outskirts of Narince. Nearby, sheep were bleating in unison, a small flock of which the local shepherd was driving out of the outskirts to the nearest pasture. The morning hitchhiking, although sparse, was good: after 10 minutes I was picked up by a car, which quickly drove me to the desired fork. Here the main road (along with the flow of cars) went to the right, but I got a joker in the form of a rather remote, although asphalt, road leading in the direction national park.

It is clear that such a specific route was not at all full of hitchhiking (and I didn’t really count on it and had already prepared myself for a pleasant walk), and therefore I took a sip of water and cheerfully moved forward, admiring the wonderful surrounding views. And there was something to see!

The road runs far into the distance...

And on both sides flows its own leisurely rural life

The sun generously poured its hot rays onto the rocky ground, the road led in winding loops forward and upward, and all around there were only grasshoppers chattering and the rushing wind singing in my ears and ruffling my T-shirt. There were almost no passing cars, nevertheless, a couple of times I was overtaken by tractors, which I successfully stopped and rode on them several kilometers ahead, at the same time giving my legs a rest.

Future restaurant for tourists. It's just the foundation and wall building phase.

I was very happy to see this sign! The reserves of water in a bottle are not endless, but here we managed to replenish them.
At the same time I had a snack with whatever God sent.

And now the first, easier part of the journey is over. I'm at the entrance to myself National Park Nemrut. As you can see, visiting the park is not free, and at the entrance there is a solid checkpoint with a barrier, which contains several ticket inspectors. Travel letters and spelling do not work on them (verified), however, the amount “for repairing the Proval” is small, and the lire spent is repaid many times over by the impressions subsequently received.

Stop talking! Onwards and upwards, and there...

From above, the road traveled seems like a thread winding in a narrow gorge.

Beautiful is far away

From the entry checkpoint to the upper platform there is about 7 kilometers of a fairly steep climb, which can be overcome quite quickly by car. I was in no hurry, I walked calmly, stopping for short rests and photographing the surrounding beauties.

True, the higher and further I rose, the colder and windier it became. Even bright sun could no longer overcome the strong, angry and piercing gusts of the mountain wind. All I had in stock was a light windbreaker, which I hastened to put on. It became warmer, but not by much - however, naturally, the cold did not force me to retreat, and I slowly but surely moved forward.

And then, around the next turn, a flat upper summit plateau with guard houses, a small hotel and several souvenir shops opened up. The second leg of the journey was left behind.

All that remained was to make the last push and overcome several hundred steps carved into the stone, leading somewhere far up... What is there ahead?

Knight at a crossroads. Where to go, where to go? I tossed a coin... and chose the ascent to the right, to the Eastern Terrace.

In 1881, Karl Sester, a road engineer from Germany, hired by the authorities of the Ottoman Empire to assess the possibility of laying new transport routes, was amazed to find this mysterious place at the top of the mountain. The discovery of the German engineer became a sensation in scientific circles, and over the next 100 years, 6 serious expeditions of researchers from different countries. What surprised them so much?

On the top of Mount Nemrut, almost 2200 meters high, King Antiochus I, who ruled the state of Commagene during the Roman Empire, from 69 to 34 BC, built an unusual monument. From the discovered inscription it follows that this monument was supposed to remind descendants of his own glory and the glory of the gods. The ruler himself was of Greco-Persian origin and ruled a quite prosperous and fairly extensive independent kingdom, living off trade with Syria and Persia.

Mountain peaks in many mythologies are the abode of the gods. King Antiochus I, who considered himself a descendant of the great Persian king Darius, turned Mount Nemrut into a platform for huge statues of gods - and put himself on a par with them. At the top of the mountain there is a burial mound formed from a pile of stones. On the western and eastern sides it is guarded by two lions, two eagles and many statues up to nine meters high (!).

These statues represent seated Hercules, Zeus and Oromazdes (he is related to the Persian god Ahuramazda), Tyche (the Greek goddess of Fate), Apollo-Mithra and Antiochus himself. As a result of several earthquakes, their heads fell off over the centuries, and many fragments were scattered all around.

Gallery of ancient gods and mythical heroes

On both sides of the mound, whose height is 49 meters and diameter is approximately 150 meters, there are identical figures. The statues on the eastern side of the terrace are better preserved; they were not carved from one solid stone, but were composed of separate stone layers. On the huge heads, Greek facial features juxtapose with Persian head decorations and hairstyles.

At the very top, the wind was whistling, simply piercing to the bones (despite even the hot and sunny weather), and with such force that you could literally lie down on it like a down pillow. Within a few minutes, in my thin clothes, I was so cold that my teeth were knocking out some kind of devilish beat, and my numb fingers were shaking and trembling so much that it was even difficult to simply fix the device and press the shutter button...

But these wonderful views became a reward for the difficulties of the climb:

It seems that Antiochus had no doubt that he belonged to the ranks of the immortals: a well-preserved bas-relief of the eastern terrace shows him shaking hands with Apollo, Zeus and Hercules.

Of particular interest is the stone slab depicting a lion under a starry sky. The arrangement of the stars and planets - Jupiter, Mercury and Mars - repeats the special arrangement of the luminaries, which was observed by astronomers on July 7, 62 BC. e. The significance of this date is not known exactly, but it is assumed that this is the day construction began on Mount Nemrut.

There is also an altar on the eastern side of the burial mound. Most likely, previously both terraces were connected by a walled road and it was possible to approach it through a mountain path laid below. In all likelihood, this area was regularly used for religious ceremonies.

Having walked around both terraces, capturing all these extraordinary masterpieces of ancient sculptors and architects, and doing something like the “dance of St. Vitus” with my body shaking from the cold, I galloped back down the steps. “Hurry, hurry down, to the warmth and sun!” - the only thought greedily throbbed in my well-ventilated head...

Oh, how pleasant it is to return along the already familiar road, when your legs run down by themselves - into green valleys, and your consciousness is pleasantly caressed by the thought of another successful overcoming of yourself and a bright, eventful day...

In addition to the beautiful views, the way back surprised me twice more.
First, an amazing joke by Turkish road builders called “assemble a highway puzzle”...

And then an unexpected meeting on the side of the road with such a brilliant representative of the local fauna. The snake lay on the edge of the road, not moving - apparently, it had become soft in the hot sun. I did not disturb her, remembering the sad fate of Julia Stoner and Grimsby Roylott, but only cautiously approached and photographed the beauty:

Beauty at sunset

When I reached the intersection where I started my walking trip to Nemrut in the morning, the last rays of the sun were caressing the tops of the surrounding hills, and darkness was quickly approaching the valleys. Having quickly and successfully braked the garbage truck, in 15 minutes I flew with the cheerful mustachioed driver to “my” village and Mehmet’s registration. Behind us were 30 km of travel and “pockets full” of impressions.

The visit to the Minotaur on Mount Nemrut was successfully completed.

That's all. Therefore, allow me to take my leave.

Helpful information on arrival (from Vinsky forum):

There are 2 possibilities to get to Nemrut:

1. From the south - Adiyaman or Kahta to the village of Karadut, from there 12 km to the top.
The advantage of this road is that, in addition to the mountain, you can see other preserved sights of Commagene - Karakush with the Eagle Column, the Roman bridge, Asramea, the summer capital of Commagene.
The downside is that the main way to get there is by bus (Kayseri 6 hours, Istanbul about 20 hours), if you don’t have enough time it takes a long time.
2. From the north – Malatya. Malatya is promoted by the Turks as the apricot capital of the world, with an apricot festival held in July. The rest of the time there are almost no tourists, only those heading to Nemrut. There is a tourist information office in the center and they organize trips http://www.malatyakulturturizm.gov.tr/

It’s been a while since we climbed the mountains and admired natural wonders. So let's now correct the situation and go to a place full of secrets - Mount Nemrut Dag in Turkey and look at the mysterious stone heads.

Where are the stone heads on Mount Nemrut Dag?

Nemrut-Dag is a southeastern mountain in Turkey, located near the city of Adiyaman. The height of this mountain is 2150 meters above sea level.

In order to easily get to Mount Nemrut-Dag from Adiyaman, you need to take direct transport to Kyakhta and calmly wait for the “final stop”. A little more and you will be at the foot of one of the most mysterious mountains in the world, a little more and you will see mysterious stone heads.

It is worth noting that Mount Nemrut-Dag has a huge history of tens, hundreds and thousands of years behind it. And further! There is something unusual and secret on it - these are stone heads.

Who created the stone heads on Nemrut Dag and the tomb of King Antiochus I

The amazing “mausoleum” on Nemrut Dag is one of the most popular attractions in Turkey, as well as. Indeed, this place, like no other, is imbued with the history and culture of antiquity.

To convince ourselves, let's start with the history of the creation of the statues on Nemrut Dag.

In the distant 2nd century BC, Nemrut belonged to dwarf state Commagen. The state itself was small, but the rulers were very proud and powerful individuals. Each of them tried to “stand out”, to show their power over others. King Mithridates I organized the Olympic Games here, thereby “attracting and enticing” those around him. It would seem that what could be better and larger?

But King Antiochus I simply surprised everyone with his idea. He created his own, new religion! And he gave himself the “title” of God.

Nemrut at that time became a religious center. And it was here that it was planned to build something like a ritual complex. But the construction was not completed, since after the death of Antiochus I the work stopped.

At the top of the mountain there is a huge burial ground with a sanctuary - this is the tomb of King Antiochus 1.

The king wished to deify himself and ordered a will to be written on the walls of the temple with a request to “celebrate” his birthday from year to year. He said that, no matter what, literally every subject was obliged to taste the treats and sacrifice an animal. “Let there be a holiday!” - the will ends with these words.

The mystery of the stone heads on Mount Nemrut-Dag

The peak of Nemrut Dag consists of three terraces - western, eastern and northern. It is there that these mysterious statues of gods are located - stone heads.

On this moment the statues are already “dismembered”, so to speak. It’s just that after a strong earthquake, the stone heads of the statues “fell off their shoulders” and now stand next to “their bodies”!

As Antiochus I said: “This place is the home of the Gods! This is where their heavenly thrones are."

Now you know about the history of the stone heads on Nemrut Dag in Turkey. Find out more and more interesting things and travel the world with us.

Where are the stone heads on Mount Nemrut-Dag located on the map

Nemrut Dag is a mountain located in the southeastern part of Turkey in the Adiyaman province, 96 km from the city of Malatya. Nemrut belongs to the Eastern Taurus mountain range and is located at an altitude of 2150 m above sea level. Uniqueness natural object primarily lies in the ancient buildings and stone sculptures of the Hellenistic period preserved on its territory. In 1987, the ancient buildings of Nemrut Dag, due to their undeniable cultural value, were included in the list world heritage UNESCO.

Today, Nemrut Dag is one of the most visited attractions in southeastern Anatolia. Although most often the residents of Turkey themselves come here, the monument is attracting more and more interest from foreign travelers every year. To realize the full value mountain peak, it is important to turn to the history of the origin of her unusual sculptures and designs.

Historical reference

After the collapse of the empire of Alexander the Great in the 2nd century BC. in the area where Mount Nemrut is located, a small state called Commagene was formed. The founder of this ancient Armenian kingdom was a native of the Yervanduni dynasty named Ptomelius of Commagene. In 86 BC. His descendant Antiochus I comes to power in the empire - an energetic young man with high ambitions, often flowing into real delusions of grandeur. The ruler claimed that he came from the family of Alexander the Great, and with frantic zeal he tried to achieve the same glory as the great commander.

At the height of his madness and selfishness, Antiochus I decided to create a new religion that incorporated the traditions of Western Greek and Eastern Persian beliefs. The ruler declared himself the god of the Commagene kingdom and the main deity of the newly created faith. In 62 BC. Antiochus I ordered the construction of a tomb for himself on the top of Mount Nemrut. Following the example of Egyptian burial structures, the tomb was built in the shape of a pyramid. The outside of the sanctuary was decorated stone sculptures Greek and Persian deities with a height of 8 to 10 m. It is noteworthy that the statue of Antiochus himself was installed on equal terms among the sculptures of other gods.

Soon after the death of the ruler, the Roman Empire took possession of the lands of the Kingdom of Commagene, and the tomb was completely forgotten. Only in 1881 did German researchers manage to discover a lost historical complex, which at that time was known only to a few local residents. In 1953, on the top of Nemrut, the Germans, in a team with American scientists, staged a grandiose archaeological excavation, cleared and studied all the monuments of the mountain. Thanks to their efforts, any traveler can now visit the ancient complex in Turkey and touch the sculptures, which are more than 2000 years old.

What can you see on the mountain today

Currently, on Mount Nemrut Dag in Turkey, the ruins of a once majestic tomb have been preserved, the analogues of which have still not been found throughout the world. Scientists have not been able to name the exact reason for the destruction of this monument. Some of them believe that it was damaged by the numerous earthquakes that characterize the region. Others suggest that the damage to the object could have been caused by one of the foreign invaders. Nevertheless, individual fragments of the tomb have survived to this day in good condition. What can you see on the mountain?

The territory of the historical complex on Nemrut Dag is divided into three sections. The northern part of the monument is completely destroyed and is of no interest. But among the ancient buildings of the eastern section there is a well-preserved pyramidal mound, 50 m high and 150 m wide. Presumably, this is where the body of Antiochus I was buried, but there is still no evidence to support this theory.

The statues of gods decorating the tomb have suffered serious damage over the centuries: without exception, all the sculptures sitting on the throne have lost their heads. Scientists who examined the monument found and cleared the missing parts and lined them up at the foot of the tomb. Among them are the heads of Hercules, Zeus, Apollo, the goddess of fortune Tyche and Antiochus I himself. Here you can also look at the faces of lions and eagles standing on the sides.

An interesting fact is that previously it was customary to depict statues of Greek and Persian gods in a standing position. Only occasionally, in temples dedicated to a particular deity, were sculptures installed in a sitting position. As we have already indicated, at the tomb of Antiochus all the gods are depicted seated on a throne, and this position was not chosen by chance. Thus, the ruler of Commagene wanted to show that the great gods found their abode precisely on the mountain near his tomb.

Some of the ancient monuments are located in the western section: these are statues of the same deities and animals of smaller sizes, as well as bas-reliefs with their images. The bas-relief with the figure of a lion, decorated with 19 stars and a crescent, is especially well preserved. Researchers are confident that the date of construction is encrypted in it. ancient complex(62 BC)

In addition to architectural artifacts, Mount Nemrut in Turkey is famous for its breathtaking panoramas. Particularly beautiful views can be seen here during sunrise and sunset. But even in the daytime, local landscapes appear as bright pictures of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

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How to get there

The road to the mountain is quite difficult and takes a lot of time. The Adiyaman province in Turkey, where Nemrut Dag is located, includes the capital of the same name, in which the airport closest to the site is located. The distance between them is about 60 km. Several flights depart from Istanbul Airport to Adiyaman every day Turkish Airlines Airlines. You can also get to the city from Ankara Airport once a day.

Upon arrival at air harbor Adiyaman, you need to go to the city station, from where minibuses depart once every half hour to Kakhta, the largest major city closest to the mountain. settlement(the distance between Nemrut-Dag and Kakhta is almost 54 km). And already at the bus station of this city you can catch dolmus all the way to the mountain. The minibus will take you to the mountain rise, from where you will only have to walk to the top.

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• Tour type- historical and cultural
• Location- Nemrut Dağ, Sanliurfa, Harran, Gobekli Tepe
• Duration- 5 days
• arrival date- on request
• Visa- not required

The highlight of this trip is a fascinating expedition to the southeast of Turkey, to Mount Nemrut Dag - the main sanctuary of the ancient kingdom of Commagene, where King Antiochus erected huge statues of the Gods of Europe and the Middle East. This is one of famous places Turkey, sort of national reserve, which has preserved to this day the remains of the ancient kingdom.

Altitude 2150 meters above sea level, surrounded by the Taurus Mountains.

Program

November 5-9, 2019

Istanbul - Gaziantep - Adiyaman - Nemrut Dag - Diyarbakir - Midyat - Mardin - Sanliurfa - Göbekli Tepe - Harran - Halfeti - Gaziantep - Istanbul

Day 1.

Meeting in Istanbul. For those interested in city tours

Day 2.

Flight Istanbul - Gaziantep/about 2 hours/
Excursion to Gaziantep. Roman Mosaic Museum
and the fortress of the city of Antep. Free time in
city ​​center. Lunch.
Transfer to Adiyaman /190km/. Short rest, exit to Nemrud Dag /90 km/On the way visit the Roman bridge of Septimius Severus. Climbing
the top of Nemrud Dag to the huge statues of the times of Antiochus of Comogenes./62 BC/

Watching the sunset on the mountain is an incredible sight. And return to the hotel. Dinner.

Day 3

Transfer to Diyarbakir /200km/ We will visit the Ulu Mosque and the city walls in the old city, old bridge over the Tigris River. Lunch in the city of Diyarbakir. Departure to Midyat/150km/ and free time for walking. Visit to the monastery of Mor Gabriel. Departure to Mardin/70km/ Dinner.

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Sanliurfa /200 km/ - the city of the prophets. We will visit Göbekli Tepe /Bellied Hill/ and the ethnographic village of Harran with cone-shaped brick houses.
Dinner.
We'll see beautiful lake with fish and the cave of St. Abraham, the fortress and the Museum of Archeology.
Hotel accommodation. Dinner.

Day 5

Transfer to Halfeti on the river. Efrat/110km/ Boat trip along the Efrat River.
Lunch in Halfeti. Departure to Gaziantep airport/100km/and flight to Istanbul.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, an excursion program is available upon request.
Cost 425 dollars. /person for single occupancy

Included in cost:

Accommodation in 4* hotels

Breakfasts, dinners

All internal moves

Accompanying a Russian-speaking guide along the entire route

Additional expenses:

Flight to Istanbul

Medical insurance

Lunches (about 30 dollars)

Personal expenses

Entrance fees to museums (about 40 dollars)

We welcome curiosity and are open to communication:

+ 7 903 1840248 Whatsapp

info@site

or through

See you soon!

Below is an example of a program from Cappadocia. Day 1

This program can only be organized upon individual request if the guide has free days.

Arrival in Kayseri/Nevsehir

Day 2

We will begin our acquaintance with Cappadocia with a panoramic view of the Derwent Valley or the Valley of the Imagination. For thousands of years, rains and winds have sculpted their creations from soft tuff rock, in which you recognize images of people, animals, and fairy-tale characters. It really all depends on your imagination!

On the way to the village of Goreme, which means “Hidden from view,” we will meet 3 beauties - amazing rock forms that resemble giant mushrooms. Without a doubt a natural phenomenon and a true symbol of Cappadocia.

In Goreme we will visit the Museum under open air– a complex of Byzantine churches of the 10th-11th centuries, listed in cultural list UNESCO heritage. At one time it was a significant monastic complex where revered Christian saints lived and preached. The frescoes of the churches have retained their beauty and bright colors to this day.

Frescoes in a Byzantine church of the 10th-11th centuries, Goreme

After lunch, after relaxing a little in hospitable Goreme, we will go to the Pashab Valley, otherwise known as the valley of the monks. At one time, monks who chose a life of asceticism and solitude loved to retire here. Their cells were preserved in amazing rocks, the so-called “fairy fireplaces”.

Pashab Valley

Galip's workshop

We will walk along the ancient Ottoman bridge, visit one of the oldest and respected workshops in the region - Galip's workshop and his hair museum, listed in the Guinness Book of Records due to its unusualness. According to tradition, every traveler has a chance to come to master Galip and learn pottery for free. What is needed for this? Just a lock of hair from a beautiful lady and a note with contact information. Every year Master Galip holds a drawing for a trip, and every year the lucky winner comes and stays for a week in Galip’s hospitable home.

In the workshop we will have a fascinating story and a demonstration of making ceramics with gifts. The master has a great sense of humor and a lot of charm, so a great mood is guaranteed! And if you wish, you can always try and sculpt your own product and take it with you as a souvenir.

Day 3

One of the distinctive features of Cappadocia is its underground cities. There are more than 200 of them in the region! We will visit the largest of them - underground city Derinkuyu. Only 8 floors of the city are open to the public. The multi-storey dungeon is fully adapted by humans for long-term living. There are churches, cattle stables, chapels, kitchens, food storage, cemeteries, wells and even wineries.

The underground city of Mazy - everything here is adapted for life underground

The inhabitants of Cappadocia love and revere pigeons, so dovecotes are everywhere here... in the rocks. Some of the pigeon houses are painted white and decorated with murals and are located quite high off the ground to prevent foxes from getting close to the birds. We will visit Pigeon Valley near Goreme - here is perhaps the most a large number of dovecotes - and enjoy its magnificent panoramic views.

Having walked around underground labyrinths Derinkuyu, we go up, where a trip to the deepest canyon of Cappadocia awaits us. The nature here is strikingly different from the mountain landscapes of Cappadocia.

Yikhlara Valley, there is a lot of greenery and wildlife

After lunch on the Melendiz River we head to Selima– a Byzantine monastery from the 8th century, where halls with columns, refectories and wonderful frescoes are still preserved. Fans of active recreation will really like it here, because the churches of the monastery are located on a hill, connected by grottoes, stone ledges and passages and offer a lot of space for movement.

Day 4

We leave Goreme and start to the mysterious Nemrut Dagu. The journey takes about 8-9 hours, about 600 km. and a lot of impressions. Our journey into history will last two nights and three days.

Nemrut at sunset is magnificent

There are several short stops along the way - Seljuk Caravanserai Karatayhan Built in the 13th century, tea break in a small town Pinarbasi, famous for its purest springs. Lunch with wonderful views of Tekir Valley.

Arrival in Kyakhta, city tour and dinner.
Overnight at a hotel located in the center 9 km. from Nemrut Dag.

Day 5

Check out from the hotel before sunrise. We have to get to the ruins of Mount Nemrut Dag and see an incredibly beautiful picture - rising Sun between 10-meter statues of the Gods.

By bus we arrive at the foot of the mountain, and then we have to climb the mountain on foot - about 800-900 m. Our ascent will take 25-30 minutes in good weather (no snow or rain).

As a reward for our efforts, we are treated to a stunning view of the rising sun between the statues of the Gods. Travelers who were able to see this beauty remain impressed for a long time. History and modernity intertwine here and the boundaries of reality are erased. It seems that the statues are living people, whose gaze is forever turned into the distance..

Free time for independent walk and photo sessions.
We return to the hotel for breakfast.

Trip to Kyakhta, with a visit to the ruins of the Arsemia Bridge, the Roman Sendera and the royal tomb of Karakus Tumulus. Tea break.

Next we will go to Göbekli Tepe (Turkish Göbekli Tepe - “Bellied Hill”, also known as "Numbilical Hill" or "Umbilical Mountain" - temple complex, located 15 kilometers northeast of the city of Sanliurfa, in southeastern Turkey. Is the oldest of the largest megalithic structures in the world. Its age is at least 12,000 years!

We leave for Sanliurfa - Harran, ancient city peace. On the way we will stop at the largest dam in the Middle East - the Ataturk Dam.
Let's visit the oriental bazaar in Kharan, where there are tempting Mad-Birki (houses that look like a beehive), which are mentioned in the book of Genesis.
Ruins of Haran, Oldest Islamic University and 18th century castle.
We return to the hotel for dinner.

Excavations at Gobekli Tepe

At the end of our busy day, we will stop by the city of Sanliurfa, where we will visit the Abraham Cave and the Holy Carp Pool.

Sanliurfa at sunset..

Day 6

We leave the hotel in the direction of Goreme and head to Biredzhik, where there is a unique farm for breeding bald birds - Kul Aynak.

Along the way we will have a picturesque stop for lunch and tea breaks.

Late arrival at the hotel, around 22-23 hours.

Day 7

Free day at your discretion. We will be happy to offer entertainment for every taste!

Choose! And that is not all …

If you haven't seen Cappadocia from a hot air balloon and seen the sunrise in flight, then you should definitely try it. It is impossible to describe this exciting action in words!

After the flight, a surprise awaits you...

A walk through the valleys on ATVs is an unforgettable experience

The expanses of Cappadocia are designed for speed and flight

Horseback riding. After all, Cappadocia is a country of horses and the attitude towards them is special here.

Riding a horse through the valleys... pleasure!

Carpet weaving master class

And our gift to you - we meet the sunset in the valley with a tasting of local wine

Additional entertainment

• Flight to hot-air balloon at dawn. A fascinating sight!
• Whirling dervishes in the ancient caravanserai Sarykhan.

Dervishes- wandering Sufi monks. The dance of the Dervishes is a mystical flight. It is believed that by their whirling they symbolize the rotation of planets in endless space, and human souls around God. Today this is just an artistic reminder of ancient traditions, but even a traveler far from Sufism will remember the mystical atmosphere with which this ceremony is filled...

• Attend an evening music concert in the valley.
• Master classes in carpet weaving, pottery/painting.
• Sunset from the Uchisar fortress. Magnificent panoramas and great photos!

What to take with you

• For comfortable walks around the area, we recommend taking comfortable closed shoes with non-slip soles. We will often climb to higher elevations, but the soil in Cappadocia is rocky and crumbles on the slopes! We'll be walking a lot!
• Don't forget to take hats and sunscreen. The sun in Cappadocia is very active.
• Also, just in case, you can take a raincoat and, depending on the season, a light sweater for the evening, since the weather is the weather and can be unpredictable.
• For a hot air balloon flight, it is also advisable to wear warm clothing. Flights usually take place at dawn and you can feel the coolness of the night in the air, especially at an altitude of 1000 m. The difference between day and night temperatures is not uncommon here, even in the warm season.
• Cameras and cameras will definitely come in handy. It’s impossible to leave here without photos!

Why us

We can safely say that we are Cappadocia experts and in love with Turkey. Our acquaintance with Cappadocia began in 2008 under very mysterious circumstances. Since then, our love has been mutual, deep and inexhaustible. Having studied this region in all its diversity, we offer programs developed solely on the basis of our personal experience.

excursion and educational programs and acquaintance with crafts and nationalities.

developing creative master classes with immersion in the ancient traditions, culture and life of Cappadocia.

• Pottery craft. Introduction to clay. Eastern painting.
• Carpet weaving. Colors, symbols, types of carpets
• Turkish cuisine. One of the oldest and most delicious in the world.
• East Dance. Training and communication with the famous Clara Süsekind
• Precious and semi-precious stones
• Painting in the open spaces. Drawing Cappadocia

Harmonious combination ski holiday in the magnificent resort of Erciyes and winter's tale in Cappadocia

We are for an active holiday, full of impressions and new discoveries. Your vacation!

Why Cappadocia

Cappadocia– a region in central Anatolia, far from sea ​​resorts and the bustle of big cities. There are fantastically beautiful mountain landscapes, fabulous “fairy fireplaces” - rock formations of amazing shapes in which people still live, vineyards, apricot orchards, peace and tranquility, just like centuries ago.

Cappadocia is the place on Earth where you are filled with special energy, strength and inspiration. What scientists say about this: Cappadocia is located on the same parallel with Jerusalem, Solovki and Christian monasteries in Ethiopia. Many cities located on the same parallel played an important role in world history.

Cappadocia- This energetically saturated place. This is due rich history the edges. The first Christians settled here, ancient civilizations arose and disappeared, and the Great Silk Road once passed through. In Cappadocia, traditions and ancient crafts are honored and respected; it is not without reason that many artists are happy to find their second home here.

In spring, this region blooms and is fragrant with the fresh aromas of awakening plants. In autumn in Cappadocia, the heat gives way to beneficial warmth, and the vineyards and gardens play with the colors of the foliage. This is the most comfortable time for leisurely walks through the valleys and creativity in the open air. Read more about Cappadocia in our

Why Nemrut Dag

For more than two thousand years, these majestic sculptures on the mountain Nemrut watching sunsets and sunrises.

Excerpt from a book Igor Mozheiko “7 out of 37 miracles”

...King Antiochus, after he managed to negotiate with the Romans so that they would leave his possessions alone, ranked himself among the pantheon of the main gods. Now this event was to be recorded for centuries.
The king made great sacrifices. He mortgaged part of his possessions, sold family jewels, collected extraordinary taxes and ordered construction to begin on Mount Nimrud, which towered above Samosata, sanctuary to all the gods. The king even came up with an inscription for his sanctuary in advance. It should have read: “I, Antiochus, built this temple to glorify myself and my gods.”
And so began the construction of an amazing sanctuary, dedicated to the gods of Europe and the Middle East and one living person thirsting for glory, an old man, energetic, but not knowing where to put his energy...

Harran- an amazing Turkish city, which is located about 50 kilometers from Sanliurfa, in the southeast of the country. The name of this city can be translated as “a place that is scorched by the sun.” It is believed that this place came from the pages of the Bible...
The hallmark of Harran is its cone-shaped clay houses, which in many ways resemble beehives and are built without the use of wood. For 3000 years, the design and appearance of these houses have remained unchanged. Clay houses provide the best shelter from the scorching sun and often have no windows. You can understand how many rooms there are in a house by counting the number of domes. It is at the top of each dome that there is an opening for the penetration of daylight. This design has a simple explanation - this is the only way to keep the room cool.
There are no hotels in this city, so tourists are offered a very authentic type of accommodation - beehive houses.

Sanliurfa- “the city of five prophets”, is located at the intersection of ancient trade routes: the west-east route from Persia and Nusaybin to Samosata and the Mediterranean coast, and the north-south route from Diyarbakir to Harran and Syria.

Of particular value in Sanliurfa is the Khalil-Raman Mosque and the Abraham Pond associated with it, filled with holy and inviolable carps. Legend says that the prophet Abraham, thrown into a fire, saved himself by turning the fire into water and the burning logs into carp ov..
Everyone feeds them here, so the carp are here, kind and kind.