Hattusha: the Hittite Capital

Since 1986, Hattusa, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List has been located within the borders of Çorum province. According to Hittite written sources on UNESCO's "World Memory List", Hattusa became the capital of the Hittites when Hattusili I came to power (1665-1640 BCE). It is known that most of the buildings that remained from the city and can be traced, are from the 13th century BCE. In Büyükkale, where the royal buildings are located, ruins of a large palace have been revealed, with courtyards surrounded by masted tunnels, residences, warehouse buildings and a large reception room. With the fall of the Hittite Empire just after 1200 BCE, the Anatolian Bronze Ages also ends. However, the settlement date of the land of Hattusa city continues. At the beginning of the 12th century BCE, the new settlement, which dates to the Early Iron Age, began to turn into a hick town reflecting the Phrygian effects and to grow only in the eighth century BCE. The settlement in Hattusa continues during the Persian period. Hattusa also has traces of settlement and fortification belonging to the Hellenistic period, Galatians, Rome and Byzantium.