Eski Kale (Arsameia)

About 1.5km further along the main road, a road to the left takes you 2km to Eski Kale, the ancient Commagene capital of Arsameia. Just after the turn-off is the park entrance for payment for the Arsameia site and summit access (TL6.50).

At Eski Kale there is a large stele depicting Mithras (or Apollo), the sun god, wearing a cap with sunrays radiating from it. Further along are two more stelae. Only the bases have survived, but they were thought to depict Mithridates I Callinicus, with Antiochus I, the taller stele, holding a sceptre. Behind them is a cave entrance leading to an underground room thought to have been built for Mithras-worshipping rites.

Further uphill is a virtually undamaged stone relief portraying Mithridates I shaking hands with the god Heracles. Just adjacent another cave temple descends 158m through the rock. The steps into the temple are dangerous. The long Greek inscription above the cave describes the founding of Arsameia; the water trough beside it may have been used for religious ablutions.

On the hilltop above are the ruined foundations of Mithridates' capital city.