Hattusha - Capital City of HittitesPlaces to Visit in Corum

Hattusha, the ancient capital of the Hittite civilization, was a key center for the advancement of northern Anatolia and Syria during the 2nd and 1st millennia BC. The city featured palaces, temples, commercial districts, and a necropolis, all offering valuable insights into this ancient culture. Its remarkable architecture is highlighted by fortified city walls, including the iconic Lion Gate and Royal Gate, alongside the intricately carved friezes of the Yazılıkaya rupestral sanctuary.

Situated approximately 200 km east of Ankara on the vast Anatolian plains, the archaeological remains of Hattusha, near the modern town of Boğazkale, stand against a breathtaking natural landscape. The site was originally settled by a pre-Hittite community at the end of the 3rd millennium BC, which also allowed Assyrian merchants to establish themselves in surrounding areas.

Referred to as Hattush in ancient inscriptions, the city was destroyed by a Hittite ruler around 1720 BC and endured various difficulties from the 18th to the 12th centuries BC. Its remains and rock-carved ensembles reflect these historical hardships.

Hattusha was first identified in 1834, but systematic excavations only began in 1906 when the world’s oldest known peace treaty, signed between Hattushili III and Pharaoh Ramses II, was uncovered. This discovery confirmed Hattusha as a major Hittite city. Since that time, German and Turkish archaeologists have collaborated to further explore and understand the Hittite capital.

In the 13th century BC, Hattusha was safeguarded by a double-layered defensive wall, with an eastern outpost positioned approximately 1.5 km from the Royal Gate. North of the city walls lies the Osmankayası necropolis, which features numerous tombs carved directly into the rock. The site also contains the Yazılıkaya rupestral sanctuary, renowned for its exquisite Hittite artistic works.

The most striking remnants of the city are found in the southern and eastern areas, featuring early Hittite fortifications with subterranean tunnels. The lower town to the northwest, near the village of Boğazkale, is also an important site to visit. The Hittite capital of Hattusha is home to many significant archaeological treasures, including a large temple complex dedicated to the storm and sun deities. This temple is encircled by various structures such as storage buildings, and numerous tablets have been uncovered at its foundation. Just to the north of the temple lies a pre-Hittite settlement consisting of homes arranged around a central courtyard.

One of the most notable discoveries is the expansive temple devoted to the storm god and sun goddess. Surrounding this temple are multiple buildings, including granaries, where thousands of tablets were found at its base. Slightly north of this area is a pre-Hittite settlement with houses constructed around a shared central courtyard, adjoining the temple complex.

Located south of the temple complex is the upper city, characterized by a sophisticated and intricate design. Its most notable landmark is Buyukkale, a structure perched atop a lofty hill. The Lion Gates on the western side and the Royal Gate on the eastern side are the only well-preserved remains of the city’s original five grand entrances. These gates, along with other sections of the city walls, provide valuable information about the city's architectural style, construction methods, religious ceremonies, rituals, and mythology.

In 1986, the Hittite capital city of Hattusha was officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in acknowledgment of its outstanding cultural importance.

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