The legend of Hattusha: The ancient city inviting travelers to explore its rich history
Nestled in the hills of central Türkiye lies one of the country’s most intriguing UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once a city lost to history, it is now a miraculous display of royal residences, rock-cut temples, and military monuments.
SUNKEN CITY OF TÜRKIYE
Lying forgotten and buried for roughly 3,000 years, Hattusha is a city shrouded in mystery and Türkiye’s deeply layered past. Once the capital of the expansive Hittite Empire (1650-1193 BCE), it now stands proudly in the Turkish province of Çorum, bearing evidence of its zenith as one of the largest centers of the ancient world.
Unearthed in 1834, Hattusha was long believed to be a mythical destination, where stories of Hittite kings and the first ever chariot battles were the subject of folklore and speculation. However, as excavation continues even to this day, more is being discovered about this remarkable city and the people who resided there millennia ago.
The Hittites were an accomplished civilization, known for their skill in construction—exhibited by Hattusha and what remains of its city infrastructure. From grand walls and majestic gates to sacred temples and royal palaces, the archaeological site is a treasure trove of Hittite architecture, culture, and craftsmanship.
Travelers can hike to Hattusha on one of several walking routes available on the Hittite Trail or mountain bike the 406-kilometer stretch for a more high-octane experience. Alternatively, Hattusha makes for an ideal day trip for city dwellers looking to venture off the beaten track. As a lesser traversed site, it is a chance to escape into a chapter of history and understand what life was like between its pages.
CLUES OF CIVILIZATION
At the height of its reign as the Hittite capital, Hattusha is believed to have been home to around 50,000 settlers. Although their dwelling houses, which were built with timber and mud, have vanished from the site, excavations have uncovered several ornaments that offer clues about the lives and times of ordinary Hittites.
These discoveries include the Boğazköy Archive, a series of clay tablets that feature official correspondence, ceremonial procedures, prophecies, and literature of that era. The tablets also include the first-known recorded peace treaty—the Kadesh Peace Treaty which was drawn by Hittite and Egyptian Empires.
Whispers of the Boğazköy Archive continue to echo within the grounds of Hattusha, however, travelers can see it in all its glory at the Museum of Ancient Oriental Art, part of the İstanbul Archaeological Museums.
These discoveries include the Boğazköy Archive, a series of clay tablets that feature official correspondence, ceremonial procedures, prophecies, and literature of that era. The tablets also include the first-known recorded peace treaty—the Kadesh Peace Treaty which was drawn by Hittite and Egyptian Empires
Whispers of the Boğazköy Archive continue to echo within the grounds of Hattusha, however, travelers can see it in all its glory at the Museum of Ancient Oriental Art, part of the İstanbul Archaeological Museums.
It is here that visitors can explore the Yerkapı tunnel, hidden underneath the Sphinx Gate, and follow in the footsteps of ancient settlers who would have most likely used this path to exit the city.
RULES OF FORTIFICATION
One of the most striking features of Hattusha is its extensive city wall. Stretching for six kilometers and encompassing over 100 towers and five gateways, it is representative of the Hittites’ intricate defense strategy. Visitors can opt for a guided tour to learn how this fortification protected the Empire from invasion for over four centuries.
On route, tour guides indicate the advanced scripture of the Hittites through the hieroglyphics carved into the city wall. They also reveal their expertise in stonemasonry, through three richly decorated gateways: the Lions, Kings, and Sphinx Gates.
It is here that visitors can explore the Yerkapı tunnel, hidden underneath the Sphinx Gate, and follow in the footsteps of ancient settlers who would have most likely used this path to exit the city.
Two kilometers north of Hattusha, visitors can deepen their understanding of Hittite culture at the open-air temple of Yazılıkaya. Featuring two natural chambers cut into the bedrock, the walls are a canvas of relief art, illustrating the endeavors of gods and goddesses. While Chamber A holds the memories of the Hittites’ New Year festivities, Chamber B contains some of the sanctuary’s best-preserved carvings.
RITUALS OF THE PAST
Just as the Hittites relied on their city wall for protection, they too would pray to the gods to keep them from harm’s way. As a highly pious civilization, their capital would become known as the ‘City of 1,000 Gods’, hosting various religious activities throughout the ancient calendar.
Of all the foundations uncovered in the Upper City of Hattusha, nearly all were identified as temples. But it is within the lower grounds that visitors can admire the biggest sacred structure: the Grand Temple. Dedicated to the storm god, Teshub, and sun goddess, Arinna, the Grand Temple is just one insight into the worshiping habits of the Hittites.
Two kilometers north of Hattusha, visitors can deepen their understanding of Hittite culture at the open-air temple of Yazılıkaya. Featuring two natural chambers cut into the bedrock, the walls are a canvas of relief art, illustrating the endeavors of gods and goddesses. While Chamber A holds the memories of the Hittites’ New Year festivities, Chamber B contains some of the sanctuary’s best-preserved carvings.
Visiting Hattusha is a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore what remains of a civilization that once dominated Anatolian Türkiye. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply a curious traveler, the ancient city promises an unforgettable experience, in which the secrets of its storied past are brought to the surface.
