Other names: Perrhe, Antiochia ad Taurum (?)
A short bus ride 4km north from Adiyaman town centre, in the Öreni Mahallesi, lie the remains of the rock-cut settlement of Perre which dates back to the first century BC.
This was one of the four largest Commagene towns (along with Samosata, Maraş and Doliche), although most of what can be seen now is the remains of the giant necropolis where many people were buried in family vaults designed to accommodate three to eight bodies. Others were laid to rest in Lycian-like stone sarcophagi, a few even in underground tombs reached via flights of steps.
Other identifiable remains include a Roman fountain and stretches of the city wall.
Although Adiyaman was devastated in the 2023 earthquakes I have not heard of any damage done to the Perre archaeological site.
Transport info
Take the “Kolej” dolmuş from the side street behind the Hotel Grand İskender in Adiyaman to the end of the line (Pirin/Öreni).
