Tombs of the Kings of Pontus

The rock-cut tombs are carved into the limestone cliffs above the Yeşilırmak River at Amasya in northern Turkey. Amasya was ancient Amaseia, which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Pontus after Mithridates I established it as the dynastic seat. The tombs overlook the modern city and are among its most prominent ancient landmarks.

The tombs are associated with the kings of the Mithridatid dynasty, which ruled the Kingdom of Pontus from the 3rd century BC onward. The most famous member of the dynasty, Mithridates VI Eupator, waged three wars against the Roman Republic, though his actual burial site is not confirmed at Amasya. The tombs demonstrate the Hellenistic architectural ambitions of the Pontic court.

Several of the rock-cut tomb chambers at Amasya are accessible to visitors, reached by staircases and tunnels carved into the cliff face. The interiors are largely empty but reveal the scale of the burial chambers cut directly into the rock. The climb offers panoramic views over the Yeşilırmak River valley.

Several large tomb openings are visible in the cliff face above Amasya, spaced along the rock wall. The precise identification of individual kings with specific chambers remains debated among scholars. Additional smaller rock tombs dot the surrounding area, indicating the broader use of the cliffs for elite burials.