History and archaeology / Archaeological site
Yerkapı and the Sphinx Gate
Boğazkale, Çorum
The artificial embankment at the highest point of Hattusa; one of the city's most impressive structures with the stone tunnel (postern) beneath it and the sphinx gate above.
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Its story
Yerkapı is the large artificial embankment closing the southern end of Hattusa; the Sphinx Gate on its top is at the highest point of the city. Unlike the other gates, this gate, which could only be used by pedestrians, is reached by stone stairways on either side of the embankment; four sphinx figures guarded the inner and outer faces of the gate. The inner sphinxes were taken to Berlin for repair in 1907; one returned to Istanbul in 1924 and the other was brought back in 2011, and both are now displayed at the Boğazköy Museum. The long stone tunnel (postern) built with corbelled stones, running beneath the embankment to outside the city, is one of the rare Hittite structures that visitors can walk through. From the gate there is a wide view of the Great Temple, Büyükkale and the Lower City.
Key facts
- Location
- Southern end of Hattusa, highest point
- Highlights
- Stone tunnel (postern), Sphinx Gate
- Original sphinxes
- Boğazköy Museum
Trip purpose
- Photography
- Hiking
Location
40.00618, 34.61673
Where to eat nearby
No food & drink venues listed nearby.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; Overture Maps
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Source: Web derlemesi (doğrulanmalı): https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphinxtor_%28%E1%B8%AAattu%C5%A1a%29 | https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bo%C4%9Fazk%C3%B6y_M%C3%BCzesi | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111307346