Rock Tombs of Pontic Kings The Tombs of the Kings of Pontus, situated in Amasya in northern Turkey, comprise a collection of tombs of different sizes arranged within a royal burial complex. On April 13, 2014, this site was included on the tentative list under the cultural category of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Necropolis was built following the founding of the Kingdom of Pontus by Mithridates I in 281 BC. This burial area features grand tombs hewn directly from limestone rock, positioned on a hillside north of Amaseia (modern-day Amasya) overlooking the Yeşilırmak River. Within this valley are tombs containing large stone chambers. Known as the "Valley of the Kings," the site holds great importance as the largest kingdom in northern Anatolia during the Hellenistic period. Among the 21 rock tombs scattered around Amasya, five royal tombs located in the "Maidens' Palace" region belong to Mithridates I, Ariobarzanes, Mithridates II, Mithridates III, and Pharnaces I. The tombs carved into the rock vary in height from 8 to 15 meters (26 to 49 feet). Three of these five tombs feature individual stairways for access, while the remaining two can be reached through a tunnel combined with steps. Due to their elevation, all five tombs also have ladder access, and each tomb's facade is adorned with columns. Three of the tombs have six columns, one has four, and two display two columns each. Additionally, three tombs include a single column while two do not have any. The tomb attributed to Pharnaces I measures 15 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 6 meters high. An inscription above this rock tomb reads: "The phrouarch (castle commander) Metrodorus dedicated an altar and a flowerbed for King Pharnaces I, to all gods." Overall, the Tombs of the Kings of Pontus provide an intriguing insight into the region’s history and underscore the significance of the Kingdom of Pontus during the Hellenistic period. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or simply message us on Whatsapp, and we will get back to you promptly.