The nature of powerful compact radio galaxies

Three compact powerful radio galaxies, PKS 1353-341, PKS 1814-637 and PKS 1 934-638, have been imaged. The three galaxies seem to be giant ellipticals, the last two being bluer than normal gEs by 0.2-0.3 mag in B-I, which is e xpected if they are the result of recent merging. HI absorption has been detected in all three objects with very different ch aracteristics. The broad absorption in PKS 1353 -341 probably takes place i n a torus or a disk with a radius of at least a few tens of pc. For PKS 181 4-637 the principal absorption is less broad and the disk radius more likel y a few hundreds of pc. The absorption in PKS 1934-638 is very narrow and i s probably due to gas not directly connected to the central engine. Data for a dozen of powerful radio galaxies with H I absorption are reviewe d. Such absorption seems to be particularly common at high radio power.