Mount Nemrut, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey 2012

In Sept 2012 we travelled with some friends to Eastern Anatolia where we visited Mount Nemrut and crossed the famous Tigris and Euphrates Rivers as well as visiting a number of other mind blowing sites.
Fran had to consider weather to ride the "donkey taxi" to the top of the mountain or not. After one of our group said she had and would never do it again, my the decision was a definite "NO thank you!"

Fran and the Donkey Taxi

The climb to the summit of Mount Nemrut was rather steep (2,134 m or 7001 ft) and interestingly it became hotter rather than colder the higher we went. So we all plodded carefully up the mountain on the stony track. All of us were overwhelmed by the incredible views of the desolate countryside. Within a couple of weeks from our visit all this will be covered with snow!

Some of our Group Plodding Upwards

The huge stone heads on Mount Nemrut were build by King Antiochus1 between 64 and 38 BC to glorify himself and many of the Greek and Persian Gods. Originally there were 3 terraces but only the remains on the east and west terraces are visible today. The site was discovered by Karl Sester in 1881 but was not fully documented until 1990.

Fran with the heads on the Eastern Terrace

Stunning Tumbled heads of Gods and Animals

Fran with the Heads on the Western Terrace.

The site is just amazing!

Tom and King Antiochus

A Closer Look for Size Comparison

Princess Tyche is supposed to bring Good Luck!

The group listening to our guide telling the history of the area.

Just one of the stone reliefs lying around

What an Incredibly Remote area this is.

The Euphrates from a long way away.

The Turkish Government are Building a Damn on the Euphrates River

A Closer View of the Euphrates

The Ferry Coming in to Dock

 Fran is often Tom's photographic model. Note the tomatoes in the background One lot of tomatoes came in on the ferry and another lot went out with the next ferry. Seems like the tomato growers should co-ordinate.

Fran Tomatoes and the Ferry

Coming to the landing on the other side of the river.

We then continued on our way towards our lunch stop where we found a delightful little museum.

Objects found at the Hittite Excavations nearby.

What and energetic busy day we had but the climb was well worth it! If you ever find yourself in this area we highly recommend the climb to Mount Nemrut. Mind you it is not for the unfit or faint-hearted!