Of all the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Turkey, the ruins of the capital of the the Bronze Age Hittite Kingdom at Hattusa, near the modern turkish village of Bogazkale in Turkey's Corum Province, is the one which really merits a visit.
As the site of Hattusa is a bit off the beaten tourist track, there are only two or three hotels in the village of Bogazkale, and all of them are closed in winter. Temperatures in winter could drop to as low as -20 degrees Celsius, which means water pipes would freeze and burst, while the roads leading out of Bogazkale would be rendered unpassable due to heavy snow.
The best time to visit is in early spring (April - June), or during the autumn months (September - November). In the summer, temperatures would soar to unbearable heights and due to the absence of shade in the vast compound, the danger of getting a sunstroke is high.
The ruins of Hattusa are scattered over a vast area, most of which are still currently being excavated. It is advisable to visit the site by car; otherwise be prepared for some uphill climbs and one full day's time walking from one monument to the other.
The site of Hattusa is among the oldest archaeological finds in the world, with a history which stretches all the way back to 2000 B.C. The settlement was surrounded by woods, agricultural fields and hill valleys suitable for pasture.
As the site of Hattusa is a bit off the beaten tourist track, there are only two or three hotels in the village of Bogazkale, and all of them are closed in winter. Temperatures in winter could drop to as low as -20 degrees Celsius, which means water pipes would freeze and burst, while the roads leading out of Bogazkale would be rendered unpassable due to heavy snow.
The best time to visit is in early spring (April - June), or during the autumn months (September - November). In the summer, temperatures would soar to unbearable heights and due to the absence of shade in the vast compound, the danger of getting a sunstroke is high.
The ruins of Hattusa are scattered over a vast area, most of which are still currently being excavated. It is advisable to visit the site by car; otherwise be prepared for some uphill climbs and one full day's time walking from one monument to the other.
The site of Hattusa is among the oldest archaeological finds in the world, with a history which stretches all the way back to 2000 B.C. The settlement was surrounded by woods, agricultural fields and hill valleys suitable for pasture.
Most of the finds unearthed in Hattusa have been housed in museums in Ankara and Istanbul, although one of the most famous symbols of the Hittie Empire, a stone-carved sphinx, has been taken out of the country in the early 20th century and is now to be seen in Berlin's Pergamon Museum.
Among the most notable sights of Hattusa is the Yerkapi Rampart, an impressive stone fortification with high walls, staircases and a passageway tunnel which connects the south side of the rampart to the north.
It is a piece of marvellous architectural work, considering that all these were built some 2000 years ago in the Bronze Age.
Stone carved figures of animals and kings adorn the gates of Hattusa. All originals have been housed in museums, those that are now standing at the site are replicas.
Among the most notable sights of Hattusa is the Yerkapi Rampart, an impressive stone fortification with high walls, staircases and a passageway tunnel which connects the south side of the rampart to the north.
It is a piece of marvellous architectural work, considering that all these were built some 2000 years ago in the Bronze Age.
Stone carved figures of animals and kings adorn the gates of Hattusa. All originals have been housed in museums, those that are now standing at the site are replicas.
These stone carvings are originals though, as this hidden cave/sanctuary is a pretty recent discovery.
How to get there: From Sungurlu's town centre, there is a mini-bus which goes to Bogazkale. There is no definite time-table; it seems the bus leaves approximately every 2 hours or so, or when the bus is full.
One way taxi fare from Sungurlu to Bogazkale is about 50-60TL.
Copyrights@2010. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.
How to get there: From Sungurlu's town centre, there is a mini-bus which goes to Bogazkale. There is no definite time-table; it seems the bus leaves approximately every 2 hours or so, or when the bus is full.
One way taxi fare from Sungurlu to Bogazkale is about 50-60TL.
Copyrights@2010. All text and photos by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.
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