RouteAnkara

Hittite Legacy: World-Class Antiquities and a Day Trip to Hattusa

Ankara is the gateway to Hittite civilization. After a morning at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, take an excursion to Hattusa near Bogazkoy, the dramatic capital of the Hittite Empire, with its Lion Gate and hieroglyphic chamber.

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1
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Begin with this essential museum to understand the Hittite timeline before visiting sites. The cuneiform tablets, lion statues and ritual vessels here put Hattusa in full context.
2
Hattusa Archaeological Site
The UNESCO-listed capital of the Hittite Empire, featuring enormous city walls, royal gates with lion and sphinx reliefs, temples and a royal quarter spread across an undulating landscape.
3
Yazilikaya Rock Sanctuary
A natural rock chamber 2 km from Hattusa carved with processions of Hittite gods and goddesses in relief. Chamber B contains the famous relief of Tuthaliya IV in the embrace of a deity.
4
Lion Gate
One of the most photographed Hittite monuments, the lion-flanked gate stood as the main entrance to the lower city and remains remarkably preserved after more than 3000 years.
5
Bogazkoy Museum
A small but informative museum in the nearby village displaying local finds from the Hattusa excavations, including pottery, bronze objects and copies of key sculptures.
6
Alacahoyuk
An easy stop on the way back to Ankara, this Bronze Age site predates the Hittites and yielded spectacular royal tombs filled with gold and bronze objects now displayed in Ankara.