A Journey to Hattusa — the Ancient Capital of the Hittites
Today, travelers are increasingly choosing routes rich in history and cultural heritage. Türkiye is ideally suited to this trend, with 22 sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A special place among them is occupied by Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, located in Çorum Province. The city is famous for its archive of more than 30,000 clay tablets, which has been recognized as part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. Recent archaeological excavations have brought another remarkable discovery: three previously unknown tombs dating from the late 4th to the 3rd centuries BC were uncovered.
A Civilization of Firsts: The Hittite Empire
The Hittites, who established one of the first powerful civilizations in Anatolia, became a true superpower of their time by the 14th century BC. They built monumental temples and palaces and created the Treaty of Kadesh in 1259 BC — the first written peace treaty in human history. Today, the treaty is preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Istanbul.
The Hittites also established the Pankus council, one of the earliest advisory bodies of government, and developed civil law. In addition, a dam built by them 3,200 years ago at Alacahöyük is still used to irrigate agricultural fields.
A Journey into the Heart of the Ancient Empire
Hattusa is located in the Boğazkale district of Çorum Province. Known as the “City of a Thousand Gods,” Hattusa is now a vast archaeological park. The Lower City is home to the Great Temple, while the Upper City impresses visitors with its monumental Lion Gate, King’s Gate and Sphinx Gate.
Visitors can continue their exploration of Hittite history at the Yazılıkaya sanctuary, famous for its rock reliefs, as well as at the ancient cities of Alacahöyük and Šapinuwa.
New Discoveries Reveal Hattusa’s Later Periods
The discovery of three new tombs proves that life in Hattusa continued even after the fall of the Hittite Empire. The total number of burials discovered from the Hellenistic and Galatian periods has now reached 17.
One of the newly discovered tombs is remarkably well preserved. Inside a stone enclosure measuring 7 meters in diameter, archaeologists found the skeleton of an adult with a ritual knife beside the right shoulder. Following restoration, this section will be opened to tourists.
Concluding the Journey in Ankara
The exploration of Hittite heritage can continue in Ankara. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations houses a rich collection of Hittite artifacts. Visitors can round off their journey with a walk around Ankara Castle and a taste of the famous Turkish leblebi, or roasted chickpeas.
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