Hattusas

Hattusa: The Lost Capital of the Hittite Empire
📍 Located in Boğazkale, Çorum Province, Turkey
🗿 UNESCO World Heritage Site
🏛️ Capital of the Hittite Empire (c. 1600–1200 BC)

🏛️ A Brief History of Hattusa
Hattusa, once the grand capital of the Hittite Empire, was a major center for trade, military power, and cultural development during the Bronze Age. It thrived between 1600–1200 BC, reaching its peak under King Suppiluliuma I, before being mysteriously abandoned around 1200 BC, likely due to invasions by the Sea Peoples or internal strife.

Today, the ruins of Hattusa offer breathtaking archaeological wonders, drawing historians and visitors from around the world, including famous researchers like Graham Hancock.

🛡️ Key Highlights of Hattusa

1️⃣ The Great Temple & Lower City
Located in the city center, this massive religious complex once held shrines to the storm god Tarhunza and the sun goddess Arinna.
The massive limestone foundations still remain, showing evidence of ancient drainage channels, door hinges, and carved door tracks.
Nearby, terracotta artifacts were found, indicating ritualistic and daily life items used by the Hittites.

2️⃣ The City Walls & Fortifications
6 km of defensive walls, once standing 8–10 meters high, protected the city.
The walls were built to withstand massive invasions, showcasing the Hittites’ advanced military architecture.
Restored sections give visitors a glimpse into what Hattusa would have looked like in its prime.

3️⃣ The Lion’s Gate (Southwest Entrance) 🦁
One of Hattusa’s most famous structures, featuring two massive lion sculptures carved from marble and limestone.
The lions had protective stone or jewel eyes, believed to ward off evil and enemies.
The craftsmanship shows Mayan and Egyptian-style precision masonry, reflecting the Hittites’ advanced stone-carving techniques.

4️⃣ The King’s Gate (Southeast Entrance) 👑
Features a high-relief carving of a warrior, possibly a Hittite god or a king.
The archway’s intricate stonework shows the Hittites’ expertise in monumental architecture.

5️⃣ The Sphinx Gate & Upper City Walls 🏰
The Sphinx Gate marks the entrance to Hattusa’s upper city, featuring majestic guardian sphinxes.
Beyond this, the fortified Upper City housed royal palaces and noble residences.

6️⃣ Yazilikaya Open-Air Temple (2 km from Hattusa) ⛩️
A sacred rock sanctuary, where carvings of Hittite gods and kings line the rock walls.
Features reliefs of 63 deities, including the Weather God Teshub and the Sun Goddess Hebat.
Likely used for religious ceremonies, royal rituals, and astronomical observations.

🏺 Nearby Attractions
🔱 Alacahoyuk (35 km from Hattusa)
Older than Hattusa, Alacahoyuk dates back to 4500 BC.
Features pre-Hittite Royal Tombs, golden sun disks, and elaborate sphinx gates.
🏡 Bogazkale (Closest Town to Hattusa)
A small village offering local guesthouses and cafés, perfect for a relaxing stay after visiting the ruins.

🍽️ What to Eat in Corum?
🍛 Etli Corba – A hearty meat soup, perfect after exploring the ruins.
🍲 İskilip Dolmasi – A slow-cooked rice and meat dish.
🍚 Leblebi (Roasted Chickpeas) – A popular local snack!

🚗 How to Get to Hattusa?
✈️ By Air:

Amasya-Merzifon Airport (MZH) (66 km from Çorum)
Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB) (3 hours by car)
🚍 By Bus:

Regular buses from Ankara, Istanbul, and Samsun to Çorum.
From Çorum, take a minibus or taxi to Boğazkale (~1 hour).
🚗 By Car:

From Ankara (~3 hours)
From Istanbul (~6 hours)
From Samsun (~2 hours)

🏆 Why Visit Hattusa?
✔️ Explore a lost empire that once rivaled Egypt and Mesopotamia.
✔️ Walk through the Lion’s Gate, King’s Gate, and Sphinx Gate.
✔️ Visit the Great Temple and the Upper City ruins.
✔️ Discover ancient gods and myths at Yazılıkaya Open-Air Temple.
✔️ See one of the world’s most advanced ancient fortifications.

✨ A must-visit for history lovers, archaeology fans, and adventure seekers! ✨