Yazılıkaya Hittite Sanctuary

Yazılıkaya is an open-air sanctuary a short way outside the Hittite capital: two natural clefts in the rock, walled off at the front with a temple building of which foundations remain, and carved on the inside faces with the most complete surviving representation of the Hittite gods. In Chamber A, two processions of deities advance along opposite walls and meet at the far end, where the storm god Teshub and the sun goddess Hebat face each other - sixty-odd figures in low relief, each named in hieroglyphs, the male gods on one side and the female on the other. Chamber B is narrower and holds the twelve gods of the underworld, a large sword-god figure whose blade merges into a human form, and a relief of the king Tudhaliya IV embraced by his protective deity. The function is generally read as a religious and possibly funerary complex, with the New Year festival among the ceremonies held here. Weathering is a serious concern and shelters have been discussed.

What you actually see

• Chamber A - the two processions of gods meeting at the end.
• Chamber B - the twelve underworld gods and the sword-god.
• The king relief - Tudhaliya IV with his protective deity.
• The rock clefts - the natural chambers the sanctuary uses.

When to go

April to June and September to October. Late morning gives raking light on the reliefs; the site is exposed and the plateau is severe in both summer and winter.

Honest expectations

The reliefs are weathered and some are hard to read - a guidebook or guide helps considerably. The ticket is shared with Hattusa and the two are a full day together. No shade, and a car is needed.

Nearby

Hattusa is two kilometres away; Alacahöyük is about 25 km north.