Hattusha’s Timeless Beauty on World Hittite Day

As the calendars marked April 15th, World Hittite Day, a whisper from the depths of history echoed with silent admiration. Hattusha, once the heart of the mighty Hittite Empire, continues to welcome its visitors with its enchanting atmosphere. Situated southwest of Çorum, at the foothills of Boğazkale, this ancient city, embraced by seven kilometers of walls and spanning an area of 2 square kilometers, offers a unique beauty in every season as it bears the traces of history.

The Ancient City of Hattusha and the adjacent Yazılıkaya Temple present a different face to their visitors in each season. The stones, enlivened by a thousand shades of green in spring, whisper the grandeur of the past in the summer heat, and witness the melancholic dance of yellow and brown in autumn. Today, on World Hittite Day, April 15th, the serene atmosphere of history and the splendor of the ancient ruins combine to offer an unparalleled experience.

The symbols of the ancient site, the Boğazköy Sphinxes, stand proudly upright as they have for centuries. The majestic lions of the Lion’s Gate greet visitors with expressions that defy time. Yeşiltaş (Green Stone) shines at its location as a silent witness to history, seemingly reflecting the tranquility of the Hittite gods. And the Yazılıkaya Open-Air Temple… the thousands-year-old stories etched into its rock reliefs stand the test of time like prayers whispered to the stones.

The Hittites established a great civilization in Anatolia in the 2nd millennium BC, creating a powerful empire. They made significant advancements in state administration, law, art, and religion. They signed one of history’s first written treaties, the Treaty of Kadesh, and bequeathed thousands of cuneiform tablets to the present day. Hattusha, as the capital of this great civilization, was not just a city but also a center of culture and art. Its temples, palaces, walls, and monuments reflected the power and beliefs of the Hittites.

Today, on World Hittite Day, the timeless beauty of Hattusha reminds us once again of the enduring spirit of this ancient civilization. In this historical atmosphere, the splendor and legacy of the Hittites are commemorated with deep respect. Hattusha is not just an ancient city but also a bridge we build with the past and continues to be one of the most important witnesses to the ancient story of the Anatolian lands.