Ankara - Türkiye
In a time when the Arab traveler is looking for destinations that tell stories that are not read in books, Türkiye stands out as an exceptional model of cultural tourism, where tales of successive civilizations in Anatolia blend to form a vibrant historical painting. With 22 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, this country turns into an open museum waiting for anyone to read its details.

The Hittite capital reveals its latest surprises

In the heart of Chorum lies Hattusha, which was once the capital of the Hittite Empire, one of the most powerful kingdoms of the Bronze Age. Today, as excavation work continues, archaeologists have announced the discovery of three new tombs dating back to the period extending from the late fourth to the third century BC, bringing the total number of tombs discovered at the site to 17 tombs dating back to the early Hellenistic and Galatian periods.

One of these tombs is distinguished by an exceptional state of preservation, as it was surrounded by circular stone walls with a diameter of seven meters, and inside it was found a complete skeleton with a knife placed near the right shoulder, which opens the door to exciting questions about the burial rituals of the city’s residents after the collapse of the Hittite Empire.
An empire ahead of its time with its laws and dams

The Hittite civilization was not just a military power, but a laboratory for the first human innovations. The Hittites established the Pancus Advisory Council, developed family and inheritance laws, and recorded royal annals that are considered among the oldest examples of historical documentation.

But the most amazing thing is the Alaca Höyük Dam, which was built more than 3,200 years ago and is still used for irrigation today, as well as the Treaty of Kadesh with Egypt in 1259 BC, which is considered the first written peace treaty in human history, and is now displayed in the Istanbul Archeology Museums.

A cultural trip from Çorum to Ankara

The site allows visitors to wander between the Lower City and the Upper City, where the Great Temple, the Lions Gate, the King's Gate, and the Sphinx Gate are located, before heading to the open Yazelikaya Temple with its dazzling rock carvings. As for outside the walls of Hattusa, the cities of Alaca Höyük and Şabinoa are waiting to complete the picture.

For those who wish to deepen the journey, Ankara is located a few hours away, where the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations contains a valuable collection of Hittite antiquities, including a letter from an Egyptian queen to the Hittite king dating back to 1235 BC.
The Arab tourist between the past and the present

At a time when Gulf tourists are looking for tourist experiences that carry cultural depth and a spirit different from traditional destinations, Hattusha represents an ideal destination that combines historical mystery and ease of access. The city, which is about an hour away from Amasya Merzifun Airport, offers Arab tourists a unique opportunity to explore the roots of human civilizations in Anatolia, away from the hustle and bustle of major cities.

As for the Arab investor, this archaeological and tourism momentum in Turkey opens promising horizons in the cultural tourism sector, with the increasing demand for specialized tours and heritage hotels, especially with plans to restore newly discovered tombs and open them to visitors, which enhances the region’s attractiveness as a sustainable tourist destination.