“Inscribed Rock”
Three km from the Hittite capital at Hattuşa lies a double gully whose walls are covered with 64 carvings of some of the thousand gods that made up the Hittite pantheon, males on one side and females on the other. It’s these images that attract attention although there are also scant remains of a temple dating back to the 13th century B.C. which is also when the carvings of the gods are believed to have been created.
The Hittites are thought to have come here to celebrate their new year at the start of spring but the discovery of some cremated remains strongly suggests that some of the Hittite monarchs may also have been buried here.
Yazılılkaya forms part of one of Turkey’s world heritage sites along with Hattuşa.
Transport info
For most people it will be a pleasant walk from Hattuşa to Yazılıkaya but taxis are also available in the nearby village of Boğazköy.
