“The heart of the Hittite Empire,
Three thousand years of history lie sleeping in the valleys of Anatolia.”
City Introduction：
Hattusa is located near the town of Boğazkale in Çorum Province in central Turkey. From the 17th century BC to the 12th century BC, it was the capital of the Hittite Empire. It was once one of the most powerful cities in the ancient Near East, controlling strategic strongholds of the Anatolian plateau, and standing alongside Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon as one of the great powers of its time. At its peak, Hattusa is estimated to have had a population of 40,000–50,000. The city was divided into the Upper City and the Lower City, featuring a complex system of fortifications, magnificent temple complexes, palaces, and administrative districts, surrounded by valleys and fertile plains.
Historical Background：
Establishment and Expansion: The Hittites established Hattusa as their capital in the 17th century BC, gradually unifying Anatolia and expanding toward Syria and Mesopotamia.
Peak Period: In the 14th century BC, Hattusa’s territory spanned most of present-day Turkey and northern Syria, becoming an important military and trade center in the ancient Near East.
Famous Event: The Battle of Kadesh in 1274 BC was the most famous war between the Hittites and Egypt and is one of the earliest battles in history to be recorded in detail. After the war, the two sides signed the earliest known written peace treaty in the world (now preserved in the Istanbul Archaeological Museum and at the United Nations headquarters).
Decline and Fall: Around 1200 BC, the Hittite Empire collapsed amid invasions by the “Sea Peoples” and internal unrest. Hattusa was abandoned and gradually disappeared beneath weeds and yellow earth.
Top Attractions：
Lion Gate: On both sides of the southern city gate stand massive stone lion sculptures, symbolizing strength and protection. The lions are carved with fine detail and power, their eyes gazing forward as if still guarding the imperial capital of a thousand years. It is said that the lions were messengers of the Storm God, able to drive away disasters and evil spirits, protecting the peace of the city. Local people believe that making a wish beneath the Lion Gate will receive divine blessing.
King’s Gate: The eastern gate of the city. A relief of a helmeted warrior is carved on the city wall, believed to symbolize the protection of royal authority and the army. The warrior may represent the Hittite war god or the embodiment of a general of that time.
Mysterious Underground Tunnel (Yerkapı Tunnel): A stone-built passage located at the southern end of the Upper City, 70 meters long and arched in shape. Archaeologists speculate that it may have been a military passage or used for religious rituals. Local legend says that on moonless nights, low drum sounds can be heard from the tunnel — the ancient priests are conversing with the gods.
Great Temple: Located in the Lower City, it is the largest religious building in Hattusa, dedicated to the Storm God Teshub and the Sun Goddess Arinna. The temple complex includes storage rooms, ritual halls, and altars, and was once used for grand state ceremonies.
Yazılıkaya Rock Sanctuary: Located outside the city of Hattusa, this natural rock chamber was a sacred place of the Hittites. The rock walls are carved with long processions of deities, recording in detail the Hittite pantheon. An ancient legend says that this was the place where the gods gathered each year to decide the weather, harvest, and the outcome of wars for the coming year.
Architectural Features
City Wall System: A double-layered fortification system stretching 6 kilometers surrounds the entire city, built with massive stone blocks and mud bricks. Some sections remain well preserved today.
Religious and Administrative Zoning: The Lower City centered around the Great Temple and marketplace, while the Upper City served as the palace and aristocratic district, reflecting a strict urban planning concept.
Stone Carvings and Reliefs: Relief art was widely used on gates, temples, and altars, recording wars, religious rituals, and mythological stories.
📖 Legends & Culture
The Wedding of the Storm God and the Sun Goddess: In Hittite mythology, the wedding of the Storm God Teshub and the Sun Goddess Arinna was held in Hattusa. Thereafter, rain and sunlight coexisted in harmony, bringing harvest and peace.
The Lion Guardians: It is said that when Hattusa fell, the stone lions at the city gate shed tears, which turned into springs in the valley and still nourish the local villages today.
