The Ivriz Cultural Landscape Ivriz is a small village located in the Konya province, about 170 kilometers southeast of the city center. The village is set on the slopes of Mount Bolkar, which forms part of the central section of the Taurus Mountain range. From here, visitors can enjoy stunning views of wetlands and streams nourished by the Ivriz Creek flowing towards the northwest. The Ivriz Cultural Landscape, situated in southwestern Turkey, includes two remarkable Neo-Hittite rock reliefs, a small Neo-Hittite altar, a monastery dating back to the Middle Byzantine Period, two caves, and natural elements like springs. This site served as a religious and cultic center as well as a territorial boundary marker over an extensive timeline—from the Late Bronze Age (1650-1200 BC) through the Iron Age (1200-650 BC) and into the Middle to Late Byzantine period (843-1543 AD). The Hittites referenced this location during the Late Bronze Age, and it played a crucial role as a border landmark during the Iron Age. In that era, it evolved into a notable sanctuary dedicated to water worship, a tradition that persisted into the Byzantine Period when the site became home to an important religious monastery. In the 8th century BC, Warpalawas, a regional ruler of the Neo-Hittite kingdom of Tuwanuwa, created a rock relief and inscribed several texts in Luwian hieroglyphic script along with a sculpture of himself near the springs. This notable Neo-Hittite rock carving from the 8th century BC is known as the Ivriz Rock Relief. The Ivriz Rock Relief measures approximately 4.2 meters in height and 2.40 meters in width, and is etched onto the slope of a rock formation. It depicts Warpalawas, the king of Tuwanuwa, standing alongside the Luwian weather deity Tarhunzas, who is identifiable through the inscriptions on the monument. There are three inscriptions carved on the relief: one in front of the weather god’s head, a second behind the king, and a third in a small niche at the base where the artist's dedication is recorded. The weather god is shown centrally, holding a sheaf of wheat in his left hand and grapes in his right. His belt is adorned with grape clusters and leaves, symbolizing the fertility of the valley, with a branch of a grapevine hanging behind him. Tarhunzas is depicted with a beard and curly hair, wearing a horned helmet in accordance with Hittite tradition. His hairstyle and beard reflect the Assyrian or Aramaean artistic styles. Warpalawas stands before Tarhunzas, shown smaller than the deity, with both hands raised. He wears a round, ornamented hat and a long, embroidered robe fastened with a fibula. Originally, a spring flowed in front of this relief, but today the water is collected through basins and channels connected to the Ivriz water dam. Another Neo-Hittite rock relief is situated about 7 kilometers south of Ivriz Village, in a dried riverbed within a narrow valley of the Taurus Mountains. This relief is called Ambarderesi. Opposite this site lies the Sannabadae Monastery (also known as the Palace of Girls and Boys), a Byzantine monastery. The monastic complex extends on both sides of the valley. In 2015, a fragment of an inscribed stele featuring Luwian hieroglyphs was found near Ambarderesi, highlighting the historical significance as it suggests that inscribed steles once stood before the monument, indicating it was part of a large water sanctuary. The Ambarderesi relief portrays a scene closely resembling the Ivriz Relief, although it has endured much more severe weathering. This imagery also symbolizes fertility, as well as representing power and religious worship. The Hittites created reliefs along major routes and at strategic gateways to communicate with neighboring regions. The site's mention in a Hittite treaty highlights its significance as both a border landmark and a religious hub. In 2017, the Ivriz Cultural Landscape was officially placed on the UNESCO Tentative List. If you have any questions or need further information about the Ivriz Cultural Landscape, please feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or simply contact us on WhatsApp, and we will get back to you promptly.