Gerger (Kurdish: Aldûş) is a town of Adıyaman Province of Turkey. It is the seat of Gerger District. It is mainly populated by Kurds of different tribal backgrounds and had a population of 2,753 in 2021. The mayor is Erkan Aksoy (AKP).

History

Medieval History

In the 11th century the town formed a defensive outpost for the Byzantine Empire together with the city of Edessa, Samosata, Ḥiṣn Manṣūr and Chasanara and seems to have had a considerable garrison. After the Byzantines ruler over the region faded, the region around the Mor Bar Sauma monastery and Gerger became a base of power for local chiefs of Syrian and Armenian origin, and the town was under control of Constantine of Gerger.

Modern History

According to The Geographical Journal in 1896, Gerger had 750 inhabitants with most being Kurds, with the exception of few Ottoman officials and Armenians.

Archaeology

In 2018, archaeologists discovered a cave which used during religious ceremonies by Christians during the Byzantine period. Cross figures found inside the cave.