Adiyaman Merkez brings together traces of different periods of history: a protected Syriac church, mosques built in different phases, and Perre, with its rock-cut tombs, cisterns and mosaics. There is also a handicrafts market in the city centre and regional traditions. Those planning a trip will find both evidence of the city’s history and starting points for longer excursions into the surrounding region.
Churches and Mosques: Traces of Different Periods
The Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is located in the Mara neighbourhood and is a protected Syriac church. The Syriac Orthodox community uses it for worship services. Its inscription from 1905 documents a repair carried out at that time and shows that the building already existed before then.
The mosques also tell different stories of construction. The Eskisaray Camii was built by İbrahim Paşa in 1148 according to the Hijri calendar. According to its endowment deed, the Çarşı Camii was built by Hacı Abdulgani in 1550. The inscription on the base of the minaret at the Yenipınar Camii names Hacı Mahmut as its builder and 1720 as the year of construction. The inscription at the Kab Camii gives 1768 as the year it was built and 1923 as the year it was rebuilt by Hacı Mehmet Ali; the mosque gave its name to its neighbourhood. At the Ulu Camii, the date 1863 refers to its present form: it appears in an inscription on the upper eastern part of the minaret base. The dates therefore do not all refer to the same phase of construction.
Perre and the Oturakçı Pazarı
Perre Antik Kenti is located in the Örenli, or Pirin, neighbourhood of Adiyaman Merkez and was one of the five major ancient cities of the Kingdom of Commagene. Surviving or excavated remains include rock-cut burial chambers, cisterns, wine presses, Byzantine wall structures and mosaic floors dating to the 5th century BC. Perre has the largest necropolis area in the region. The ancient city also includes a Roman well whose water is still used; check local conditions before your visit.
The historic Oturakçı Pazarı in the city centre offers a different perspective. Regional handicrafts such as carpets, kilims and cicim heybes, as well as tourist souvenirs, are sold there. Archaeological remains and a market for regional handicrafts thus offer different aspects of a stay.
Regional Cuisine and Harfane
Across the wider travel region, Çiğ Köfte, İçli Köfte and Basalla (Ekşili Köfte) are among the best-known dishes; Pestil and Şilki (Şillik) Tatlısı are also part of the local cuisine. Hıtap is a type of pide made exclusively in Adiyaman, with roasted meat, onions, parsley and Pul Biber, and baked in a stone oven. There are restaurants serving regional cuisine in the provincial centre; individual establishments may change.
Harfane, a musical gathering tradition, is also part of Adiyaman’s heritage. At these gatherings, current topics are discussed, songs, folk songs, manis and ghazals are performed, and various games are played. Food and drinks are also served.
The Nemrut Excursion: Start Early and Plan Regionally
The long Nemrut tour starts in Adiyaman at 02:00 and heads to Nemrut Dağı for sunrise, then continues to Arsameia, Yeni Kale, the Cendere Bridge and the Karakuş Tumulus. It lasts around five to six hours. Tour itineraries and providers may change, so check the current schedule in advance.
Nemrut Dağı is a late Hellenistic temple tomb with a 50-metre-high burial mound, three terraces and five large seated limestone statues. Arsameia was the summer administrative centre of the Kingdom of Commagene. The site lies between the villages of Kocahisar and Damlacık, east of the Kahta Çayı. This makes the early, multi-hour excursion quite different from sightseeing in Adiyaman Merkez. When looking for hotels in Adiyaman, this distinction can help you decide what to focus on during your trip.
Discover more destinations: Yenipınar, Gölbaşı, Kahta, Adıyaman, Bozhüyük, Altınşehir Mahallesi, Kırşehir, Şanliurfa
Return to the wider travel overview: Anatolia.
