Karakus Tumulusu
Karakus Tumulusu
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Karakus Tumulusu
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
1 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
72 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
36
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
PPCI-BG
Bergamo, Italy121,318 contributions
Jul 2023 • Solo
The visit to Karakuş Tumulus was included in a package to climb Nemrut Dagi. The mound is a funerary monument for Queen Isias and the princesses Antiochis and Aka I, built by Mithridates II of Commagene. Karakuş means "black bird" because there is a column topped with an eagle. The mound is surrounded by Doric columns, topped with steles and bull statues. One of the columns had fallen due to the earthquake on the border with Syria at the beginning of 2023 but was promptly put back up and restored and the site reopened. Nothing compared to nearby Nemrut but if you are in the area it is worth a visit.
Written January 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronald L
Denver, CO2,934 contributions
Sept 2022
Visited Karakus Tumulus. This is a monumental tomb for three women. Built in the 2nd century by King Mithridates II of the Commagene civilization for his mother, sister, and daughter. Three columns remain today. Can walk around the monument in a half
hour and read about each of the columns.
hour and read about each of the columns.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erhan Yildirim
Türkiye2,412 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
The tumulus belonging to the royal queen and princesses of the kingdom of Commagene, built by Mithridates II, son of the magnificent king of Commagene I antiochos. 1 is the sacred burial site of Antiochis, the wife of the antiochus, isias daughters Antiochis, laodike and Antiochis daughter aka (hierothesion).
the Karakuş Tumulus is an artificial mound, 35 meters high, located on the top of a natural hill. Its Turkish name means "Black Bird", and its origin is explained by the column standing at the tumulus, the top of which is decorated with the sculpture of an eagle. It welcomes visitors to the tumulus, arriving there by the path from the south.
hierothesion that appears in the above inscription. It comes from ancient Greek and literally means a "sacred seat". In the Kingdom of Commagene, this term was used to describe royal mausoleums. In particular, it was reserved for three burial sites: the hierothesion of King Antiochus I on Mount Nemrut, the hierothesion in Arsameia, erected by Antiochus I to his father, King Mithridates I Kallinikos, and the Karakuş Tumulus hierothesion. This last mausoleum was built by King Mithridates II, the son of Antiochus, for the women of his family, as we could read in the inscription quoted above.
King Mithridates II ruled in the years 38 - 20 BCE and therefore the creation of Karakuş Tumulus is dated to this period. The figure of the ruler is visible on a relief placed on the column standing on the north-western side of the mound. This relief depicts Mithridates II shaking hands with his sister Laodice. However, some researchers, including T.A. Sinclair, claim that the person accompanying Laodice on the relief is not the Mithridates, but Isias - the mother of Mithridates and Laodice.
The presence of Laodice on a relief placed on Karakuş Tumulus indicates that she was also buried in this family tomb. Laodice was married to the King of the Parthians, Orodes II, becoming the Queen of the Parthian Empire. It was during the reign of Orodes II that the Roman army suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Carrhae - that is, the present Harran - in 53 BC. As a result of this defeat, the Roman commander Marcus Licinius Crassus, a member of the first triumvirate and most probably the wealthiest Roman of that time, lost his
life. Roman reports say that the Parthians poured molten gold into his mouth as a symbol of his thirst for wealth. His head was sent to the Great King Orodes II and was allegedly used as a prop on the stage during the performance of Euripides' Greek tragedy The Bacchae.
Originally, many more columns surrounded the mound. They stood in three rows of three columns each, on the eastern, southern, and north-eastern side on the tumulus. The central column of each group supported the relief block, and the two outer columns - the sculptures of animals - the deer on the eastern side, the eagle on the southern side, and the lion - on the northwestern side. However, they were demolished and used to build the nearby bridge of Septimius Severus, now known as Cendere Köprüsü, at the end of the 2nd century CE.
the Karakuş Tumulus is an artificial mound, 35 meters high, located on the top of a natural hill. Its Turkish name means "Black Bird", and its origin is explained by the column standing at the tumulus, the top of which is decorated with the sculpture of an eagle. It welcomes visitors to the tumulus, arriving there by the path from the south.
hierothesion that appears in the above inscription. It comes from ancient Greek and literally means a "sacred seat". In the Kingdom of Commagene, this term was used to describe royal mausoleums. In particular, it was reserved for three burial sites: the hierothesion of King Antiochus I on Mount Nemrut, the hierothesion in Arsameia, erected by Antiochus I to his father, King Mithridates I Kallinikos, and the Karakuş Tumulus hierothesion. This last mausoleum was built by King Mithridates II, the son of Antiochus, for the women of his family, as we could read in the inscription quoted above.
King Mithridates II ruled in the years 38 - 20 BCE and therefore the creation of Karakuş Tumulus is dated to this period. The figure of the ruler is visible on a relief placed on the column standing on the north-western side of the mound. This relief depicts Mithridates II shaking hands with his sister Laodice. However, some researchers, including T.A. Sinclair, claim that the person accompanying Laodice on the relief is not the Mithridates, but Isias - the mother of Mithridates and Laodice.
The presence of Laodice on a relief placed on Karakuş Tumulus indicates that she was also buried in this family tomb. Laodice was married to the King of the Parthians, Orodes II, becoming the Queen of the Parthian Empire. It was during the reign of Orodes II that the Roman army suffered a devastating defeat at the Battle of Carrhae - that is, the present Harran - in 53 BC. As a result of this defeat, the Roman commander Marcus Licinius Crassus, a member of the first triumvirate and most probably the wealthiest Roman of that time, lost his
life. Roman reports say that the Parthians poured molten gold into his mouth as a symbol of his thirst for wealth. His head was sent to the Great King Orodes II and was allegedly used as a prop on the stage during the performance of Euripides' Greek tragedy The Bacchae.
Originally, many more columns surrounded the mound. They stood in three rows of three columns each, on the eastern, southern, and north-eastern side on the tumulus. The central column of each group supported the relief block, and the two outer columns - the sculptures of animals - the deer on the eastern side, the eagle on the southern side, and the lion - on the northwestern side. However, they were demolished and used to build the nearby bridge of Septimius Severus, now known as Cendere Köprüsü, at the end of the 2nd century CE.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joy14607
Skipton, UK156 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Super views and very peaceful. Car parking area close. Worth a look. Kiosk selling souvenirs' and soft drinks.
Written October 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bimblingaroundturkey
Ankara, Türkiye48 contributions
Nov 2019
It was our first stop on our way to Nemrut mountain. We didn't have any specific expectations; maybe because of that we were amazed by the columns and the reliefs on them on top of a hill facing a great scenery of countryside.
Written December 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod F
Royal Wootton Bassett, UK2,052 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We had visited this in 2009 when you could still ascend the monument, but it is now out of bounds. It has some interesting columns, notably one of a dexiosis (handshaking) and is dedicated to Laodike. The others are the bull column for isas, and one column is for Antiochis and Aka. Visited in May.
Written May 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lanni
Gaziantep, Türkiye5,718 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
One go visit on the way from Nemrut and Severan Bridge, we stopped in Karakus Tumulusu to enjoy the ancient pillar with craved bird on the top. The location is on the top of the hill where we could enjoy the view of Euphrates River and the valley. It was the end of summer season so the river had little water and the valley was not green. It might be different for spring or early summer season.
Written November 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuergenWDobler
Island of Malta, Malta710 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
This will most likely be your first stop coming from Kahta to Nemrut Dagi, especially if you want to be there for sunset. There is ample parking close by and the walk around the Tumulus is easy and the visit will not take more than 20-30 minutes. The views are superb. There are a total of four quite impressive columns standing around the burial mound with two within close proximity of each other. The columns are topped with eagle, lion and bull.
Written October 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OzziesPiddles
Manama192 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
We visited this site on our way to Mt Nemrut. Not much to see here. Our guide didn't really provide us with much information about the site, other than it was the resting place of the royal women at the time. I would suggest reading some background information before going to understand and appreciate the site more.
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rftu
Newry, UK1,036 contributions
Jun 2022
A monumental tomb to the Queen or other Royal member of the Commagene Royal family. There are four remaining 9 to 10 metre columns with a bull, lion and eagle statues.
Written June 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing