Adiyaman, Turkey

Adiyaman lies in the southeast of  Turkey in the central Firat (Euphrates) river region. Based on archaeological research the history of the area dates back to the Paleolithic Age. Throughout the Neolithic Age (8000-7000 B.C.) Gritille, Hayaz, Ancoz and Samsat were the main culture centers.

Adiyaman used to be known as “Hisn-i Mansur” until the republican era. It hosted many civilizations throughout its history together with the Hittites, Mittanis, Urartus, Assyrians, Medians, Persians, Alexander the Great and the Kommagene.

Adiyaman lived the periods of the Seljuk Turks, Crusades and Mamelukes in the 11th, and those of the Anatolian Seljuks, Ilkhanite and Mamelukes in the 12th century.

It was annexed by the Ottoman Empire in 1516 in the course of the reign of Yavuz Sultan Selim. The region has ample pieces, structures and specimens coming from the Hellenistic era, Romans and the Byzantine coupled with those from the Islamic – Turkish heritage.

These assets obtained during the salvation work started in 1978 with the Lower Euphrates Project are now put into Adiyaman Museum. The museum exhibits pieces extracted from excavations distributed at various tumulus in addition to coins from the Roman and Seljuk times.

Historical sites within the central town range from the Fortress, Carsi Mosque, Old Palace Mosque, Kap Mosque and the Grand (Ulu) Mosque from the 14th century.

The fortress of Adiyaman lies on a man made hill in the middle of the town, built by the Caliph Omayyad Commander Munsur Ibn-i Cavene to protect the city up against the Byzantine attacks.

Now residing in a destroyed standing, the fortress has three main gates. Today this fortress is a park.

The ancient city of Perre, today called Pirin, is 5 km from Adiyaman. The city ruins and 208 caves in the rocks, where there are some human relieves, are of historical importance.

At the Adiyaman Museum you can find on display archaeological and ethnographical finds from various historical periods. The museum is open everyday except on Mondays.

Gods on Nemrut MountainThe Nemrud Mountain tumulus in the National Park, Karakus Hill, Cendere Bridge, Samsat, Arsameia, Dikilitas, Kahta, Göksu Bridge, and rock graves are also sites in the province worth seeing.

A colorful place for shopping is the Oturakçi Çarsisi to find local handicrafts, rugs, kilims and saddle bags.

The territory of the province of Adiyaman extends from the slopes of the Southeastern Taurus Range to the Euphrates over an area of 7,614 square kilometers.

It has a population of 678,999 according to the 1997 Census. Its administrative districts are the central Adiyaman, Kahta, Golbasi, Besni, Celikhan, Gerger, Samsat, Sincik and Tut. The Euphrates, the most fertile river of Turkey forms the southern and eastern borders of the province.

The province mainly subsists on crop farming and stock breeding. Land under cultivation constitutes one forth of the total territory of the province. Main crops are wheat, barley and corn. Vineyards which used to be a very important source of income happen to be replaced by pistachio orchards.

Upon the completion of GAP Project, fish culture, cotton textile plants and facilities processing feed, milk and meat will gain weight in the province.

The climate of Adiyaman is continental climate with hot, dry summers, and cold winters. However, in the summer the nights are cool. The average temperature varies from 30C-20C through the summer months.

Adiyaman has been the host of many civilizations throughout its history. Being a melting pot socially and culturally, it has valuable features related to customs about different periods of life, hospitality, folk dancing, carpets and kilims etc.

Adiyaman is renowned for its folk songs, folk dancers and tombs. Kinds of meatballs such as “cig kofte, icli kofte, mercimekli kofte” and hitap (stuffed hot pie) are special local foods in Adiyaman.

You can find air, rail and overland routes to Adiyaman. Gölbasi district is the primary junction, on the main highway to Malatya, Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep. Rail connections will also be made in Gölbasi, during which Malatya – Adana railroad passes.

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