Bogazkale

Bogazkale: A Hidden Gem of Turkey’s Hittite Heritage
📍 Location: Corum Province, Black Sea Region, Turkey
🏺 Famous for: Hattusa, Alacahoyuk, and Bogazkale Museum
🏞️ Best for: History lovers, archaeology enthusiasts, and nature explorers

🏛️ Exploring the Ancient Wonders of Bogazkale

1️⃣ Hattusa (Hattusa) – The Hittite Capital
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ancient capital of the Hittite Empire (1600-1200 BC)
Famous for massive city walls, Sphinx and Lion’s Gate, the Great Temple, and the Yazilikaya Rock Sanctuary
A must-see open-air museum, perfect for walking through history

2️⃣ Alacahoyuk – The Neolithic & Hittite Settlement
6,500-year-old archaeological site
Pre-Hittite Royal Tombs, ancient temples, and massive city gates
Sphinx Gate replicas still stand on-site (originals in Ankara Museum)
Golpinar Hittite Dam – One of the oldest dams in history

3️⃣ Bogazkale Museum – Discover Hattusa’s Secrets
Houses artifacts from Hattusa and Alacahoyuk
See the twin Sphinxes, hieroglyphic inscriptions, and ancient Hittite tablets
Roman-period tombstones showcasing post-Hittite history

4️⃣ Yazilikaya Open-Air Temple – A Sacred Rock Sanctuary
Features reliefs of 63 Hittite gods, including Teshub, Hebat, and Sharruma
An open-air religious sanctuary used for ceremonies
Best visited in sunrise or sunset for a mystical experience

5️⃣ Bogazkoy-Alacahoyuk National Park
A protected natural and historical site
Home to Hattusa Sugar Spring (Seker Pinari) and Lion’s Gate (Aslanli Kapi)
Ideal for nature walks, photography, and a peaceful break

🍽️ What to Eat in Bogazkale?
🍛 Corum Leblebisi – Famous roasted chickpeas, a great local snack
🥩 Corum Kebabi – Slow-cooked lamb dish, popular in the region
🥖 Bazlama & Gozleme – Traditional Turkish bread and stuffed pastries

🚗 How to Get to Bogazkale?
✈️ By Air:

Amasya-Merzifon Airport (MZH) (66 km from Corum)
Ankara Esenboga Airport (ESB) (~3-hour drive)
🚍 By Bus:

Buses from Istanbul, Ankara, and Samsun to Corum
From Corum, take a minibus or taxi (~1 hour) to Bogazkale
🚗 By Car:

From Ankara: ~3 hours
From Istanbul: ~6 hours
From Samsun: ~2 hours

🏆 Why Visit Bogazkale?
✔️ Walk through the legendary city of Hattusa, one of the greatest ancient capitals.
✔️ Visit Alacahoyuk and see the legacy of the Pre-Hittite and Hittite civilizations.
✔️ Explore ancient rock carvings at Yazılıkaya.
✔️ Relax in the peaceful, nature-rich Bogazkoy-Alacahoyuk National Park.
✔️ Experience local Turkish culture and cuisine in a historic setting.

✨ Boğazkale is a must-visit for history buffs, archaeology lovers, and off-the-beaten-path adventurers! ✨