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Rock sanctuary · Boğazkale, Çorum
Yazılıkaya
Reliefs of Hittite deities were carved into natural rock walls near the ancient city of Hattusa.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Yazılıkaya
Yazılıkaya is a Hittite sanctuary with reliefs carved into natural rock walls near Hattusa.
Figures arranged in sequences represent deities and elements of the Hittite religious universe. The route brings the visitor close to images that complement what is seen in the capital's foundations. The sanctuary is part of the Hattusa complex recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The visit requires an attentive eye for details, because reading the reliefs depends on angle and light. It is a more concentrated walk than the ancient city's circuit, but with its own context. Combine the two visits and allow time to observe the walls without treating the sanctuary merely as a photographic extension of the gates.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 45 minutes to an hour and a half.
Best time
At Yazılıkaya, watch how light falls on the walls to perceive the reliefs; reserve an attentive visit to the sanctuary after or before Hattusa's broader circuit.
How to get there
From Boğazkale or Hattusa, drive the road section to the entrance of Yazılıkaya.
Tip
Use the signage to identify the figures and understand the sequences of the reliefs.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Yazılıkaya
What is there to see on the walls of Yazılıkaya?
The reliefs show sequences of figures linked to the Hittite religious universe. The walk requires bringing your gaze close to the carved details, different from the broad reading of Hattusa's ruins.
Is Yazılıkaya within Hattusa's gate circuit?
The sanctuary occupies another point nearby and is accessed by road. Add this stop to the day's logistics, without assuming it can be reached by walking only along the walls.
Does light affect the visit to the reliefs at Yazılıkaya?
The angle of lighting affects how the figures in the stone are perceived. Observe the walls from different permitted positions and take time with the details, rather than just taking a frontal photo.