Mount Nemrut - Uncovering #3 | Go Türkiye

Located at the heart of the once powerful Komegeni Kingdom, is one of the most iconic locations in the world. Monumental statues of gods create an extraordinary landscape against the stark nature of the region. But why were these statues placed here? The answer might surprise you. This extraordinary sanctuary was commissioned by King Antiochus in the 1st century BC. He picked the highest location, best views and most talented artists. And created a monument so magnificent that centuries later it still manages to impress those who see it. And he did it all for himself. In fact, by building this monument as a tribute to his greatness, he wanted to convince people that he was a god. His motives may be questionable, but what he created is certainly one of the most exceptional and ambitious ancient sites in the world today. So special that it's inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. So where is the king's tomb? It's believed that King Antiochus is buried under this massive man-made hill. It was created using crushed limestone, as the sand-like material makes it impossible to penetrate. We don't know if Antiochus intended for this or not, but he definitely found what he was looking for. An eternal resting place guarded by the gods. On the east and west sides of the hill, there are giant statues of the gods on each side of Antiochus. What's interesting is that the statues of Tyche, Zeus, Apollo and Heracles are quite different from what we're used to seeing. That's because stylistically they blend elements of Greek and Persian art down to the garments they're wearing. The gods are flanked by two guardian animals. The eagle, protector of the sky, and the lion, protector of the land. While this is unique to Nemrut, it's unsurprising, considering the fact that the kingdom was located at the crossroads of eastern and western culture. Can I touch the sky? At a summit of 2,134 meters, the gorgeous Anatolian sunshine encourages me to cross my limits, like it did almost 2,000 years ago. One of the most extraordinary parts of this location is actually its natural advantage. We're up so high that the sun rises and sets under the horizon. So every morning and every night, the statues are painted with the most gorgeous colors of the sun. This is the one thing that hasn't changed in over 2,000 years. An experience that we can share with the king and the people of Komagene. Thank you for coming along on our explorations of the majestic Mount Nemrut. Though the atmosphere is definitely something you should experience in person. Up next, we'll discover the flavors of this unique location.