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Turkey : Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite empire

Çorum, Çorum Merkez/Provincia di Çorum, Turchia• ★★★★☆• 642 views
Alessia Drew
Çorum
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About Turkey : Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite empire

Turkey : Hattusa, the ancient capital of the Hittite empire - Çorum | Secret World Trip Planner

Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite empire and a respectable religious and cultural centre. It is currently known as a site of archaeological interest, in the province of Çorum, Central Anatolia, about 145 km northeast of Ankara. In 1986 it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The largest part of the city is certainly the lower town, which stretches southwards for about 1 km² and is surrounded by walls with gates decorated with fine reliefs depicting warriors, lions and sphinxes, while outside the walls there is the necropolis, containing several sepulchres. The houses were mostly built with the use of simple means, i.e. wood and mud bricks, which is why very little evidence remains about these houses.

Certainly Hattusa is to be considered as the site of greater importance for the finds of the Hittite period, having been found in this city, more than 30,000 cuneiform tablets, some of which bear testimony very relevant to the history of the city, namely the Treaty of Peace between Hittites and Egyptians signed by Pharaoh Ramesses II after the Battle of Qades in 1283 BC. To understand the importance of this finding, it is enough to think that a copy of the treaty is preserved and exhibited at the United Nations in New York, being one of the first examples in the world of international peace treaties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Hattusa is located in the province of Çorum in Central Anatolia, approximately 145 km northeast of Ankara. You can reach it by car or organized tour from Ankara, making it a feasible day trip or weekend excursion from Turkey's capital city.
Hattusa was the capital of the Hittite empire and served as an important religious and cultural center. The site is particularly significant for the discovery of over 30,000 cuneiform tablets, including the famous Treaty of Peace between the Hittites and Egyptians signed by Pharaoh Ramesses II in 1283 BC—one of the world's earliest international peace treaties, a copy of which is displayed at the United Nations.
The main attraction is the lower town, which stretches about 1 km² and is surrounded by impressive defensive walls featuring decorated gates with fine reliefs of warriors, lions, and sphinxes. Outside the walls lies a necropolis containing several sepulchres, though houses built from wood and mud bricks have left little remaining evidence due to their simple construction.
Yes, Hattusa was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, acknowledging its outstanding archaeological significance and importance to understanding ancient Hittite civilization. This designation has helped preserve and protect this remarkable historical site.
The more than 30,000 cuneiform tablets discovered at Hattusa provide crucial historical documentation about the Hittite empire and its interactions with other civilizations. Most notably, they include the Treaty of Peace with Egypt, which is considered one of the earliest known international peace treaties in world history and demonstrates the sophisticated diplomatic achievements of ancient civilizations.