All the
major early-Hittite sites lie in the province of Corum in Bogazkale
National Park, between Yozgat and the city of Corum. Impressive double
walls, which are situated by the Royal Gate,the Lion Gate and the Yer Kapi
(an underground tunnel), ring the Hittite city of Hattusas, known today as
Bogazkale. This city, the Hittite religious center was known as the City
of Temples because over 70 temples stood there. The largest ruins are
those of the great temple of the storm god Tesup. The Acropolis contained
government buildings the Imperial Palace and the archives of the Hittite
Empire. In 1180 B.C the Phrygians devastated the city. After thorough
excavations at the site, the city walls are now being extensively restored.
Sphinx gate, Alacahoyuk
Hatti idols
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Yazilikaya, an open-air
rock pantheon dating from the 13th century B.C. contains fine reliefs of
all the Hittite gods and goddesses. Alacahoyuk, north of Bogazkale on the
road to Corum, was the center of the flourishing Hattian culture during
the Bronze Age. The magnificent Hattian gold and bronze objects in the
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara were found in the Royal Tombs
of this period. All the remaining ruins at Alacahoyuk,however, such as the
Sphinx Gate,date from the Hittite period.
Corum, an important city on the road
from central Anatolia to the Black Sea, produces the finest chickpeas in
Turkey.Significant historical buildings include the 13th century Ulu
Mosque and the 19th century clock tower.
