Catch the Sunrise Over Mount Nemrut

By Pat Yale

Heads, you win: See the heads on Mount Nemrut

You'll find plenty of severed heads on top of Mount Nemrut in central Turkey, but there aren't any headhunters here at 7,000 feet. The heads come from the the shrine of Antiochus Commagene, a megalomaniac monarch who built a vast burial mound and decorated it with statues of the gods. Time and earthquakes brought them tumbling to earth, where they lie today in picturesque disarray. Early birds rise long before dawn for a stiff half-hour trek up the mountainside to watch the sun rise over the statues; sleepyheads wait for the equally mesmerising sunset. In winter, ask around for a mule and guide to get you to the summit.

Travel Interest Guides

Spring Driving Guide
Top itineraries, family-friendly asphalt-obsessed exploration, global four-wheel touring, tips, photos—it's all here.

Rafting Guide
From riotous to lazy, GORPTravel offers a state-by-state guide to the whitewater of the United States.

Family Travel Guide
Our esteemed travel experts pick the best places, hotels, and attractions, and offer sage travel wisdom and insight.

Beach Guide
Whether you dive, kiteboard, windsurf, or just strive to perfect the art of sun-bathing, our experts have the spot.

More Travel Resources