Hattusa

Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite Empire. Its ruins lie next to the village of Boğazkale in Çorum province, inside the great bend of the Kızılırmak River. Charles Texier found the site in 1834. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 1986.

In the Lower City are the foundations of the Great Temple, built in the 13th century BC. The Lion Gate and the King's Gate open in the wall of the Upper City. Under the Sphinx Gate runs the Yerkapı tunnel, about 70 m long; visitors can still walk through it. A section of the city wall has been reconstructed. The Yazılıkaya rock sanctuary, with reliefs of Hittite gods, is 2 km away.

The nearest regular bus stop is Sungurlu, 30 km north-west on the Ankara–Samsun route. From there take a dolmuş or a taxi. The ruins climb a hillside to the Upper City, so expect uphill walking. Check current opening hours before you go.