1 of 11
Adiyaman: Stargazers gathered to watch the Perseid meteor shower among ancient statues atop Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey.
Image Credit: AP
2 of 11
Hundreds spent the night at the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the annual meteor show that stretches along the orbit of the comet Swift-Tuttle.
Image Credit: AP
3 of 11
Perched at an altitude of 2,150 meters, the statues are part of a temple and tomb complex that King Antiochus I, of the ancient Commagene kingdom, built as a monument to himself.
Image Credit: AP
4 of 11
A 50-meter-high, man-made mound - the presumed tomb of Antiochus - sets the background.
Image Credit: AP
5 of 11
The ancient site that includes giant 10-meter-high, seated statues of Antiochus, surrounded by ancient Gods, including Zeus and Apollo, was discovered in 1881 by a German engineer. Excavations began there in the 1950s.
Image Credit: AP
6 of 11
Son of the founder of the Commagene kingdom, Antiochus reigned between 64 and 38 B.C., until he was deposed by the Romans. The kingdom spanned an area from the eastern edge of the Taurus mountains to the Euphrates River.
Image Credit: AP
7 of 11
People climb up to the ancient site for its jaw-dropping sunrise and sunsets. It's also a favourite spot for stargazers.
Image Credit: AP
8 of 11
Stargazers gather to watch the Perseid meteor shower among ancient statues atop Mount Nemrut.
Image Credit: AP
9 of 11
People walk before gathering to watch the Perseid meteor shower among ancient statues atop Mount Nemrut.
Image Credit: AP
10 of 11
The meteor shower coincided with a full moon this year that dimmed the meteors, but provided its own beauty for the watchers.
Image Credit: AP
11 of 11
Ancient statues are seen as stargazers gather to watch the Perseid meteor shower atop Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey.
Image Credit: AP