YazilikayaPlaces to Visit in Corum

Yazılıkaya, located approximately 2 km northwest of the Hattusha Ancient City, served as the Open Air Shrine of the Hittite Empire. The site features two chambers and a Hittite temple at the front, showcasing many elements typical of Hittite architectural style.

Within the Yazılıkaya open-air sanctuary, there is a large chamber called the Big Gallery, also known as Room A, along with a smaller chamber referred to as the Small Gallery. Both galleries are carved directly into the natural rock. The west wall of the Big Gallery (Room A) is adorned with reliefs of gods, while the east wall displays reliefs of goddesses. The figures on both walls face the central area where the main scene is located, at the junction where the east and west walls meet the north wall.

The eastern wall of the Big Gallery, also referred to as Room A, displays reliefs of goddesses and human figures, while the western wall features a procession of gods.

The deities on these walls are typically portrayed with pointed hats, belts, curved-toe shoes, and earrings. They are often shown holding a sword or mace. While goddesses are depicted in long skirts, gods wear short tunics fastened at the waist. Both wear distinctive cylindrical headpieces.

At the junction of the eastern and western walls, the northern wall features the main scene with prominent deities. In this relief, the Storm God Teshup is shown standing over air gods, alongside his wife Goddess Hepatu and their son Sharruma, who is accompanied by a double-headed eagle. The most prominent carving, a depiction of King Tuthalia IV, appears on the eastern wall and is the largest relief in the gallery.

The Small Gallery, which has a separate entrance, is flanked by two guardian figures—winged genie beings with lion heads and human bodies—on either side.

On the western wall of Room B, twelve sword-wielding gods are illustrated in a line. Meanwhile, the eastern wall shows King Tuthalia IV under the divine protection of God Sharruma. This area also contains three carved niches, believed to have been used for offerings or possibly the ashes of Hittite royalty.

With its intricate carvings, symbolic scenes, and the added architectural elements at the front, Yazılıkaya remains one of the most important and well-preserved examples of a Hittite sacred site.

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