Turkey > Yazilikaya Open Air Temple

Yazilikaya Open Air Temple

The most impressive sacred place of Hattusha is the Yazilikaya Open Air Temple, hidden amongst the high rocks 2 kilometres northeast of the city.

The Temple was generally used for New Year celebrations in spring and there are reliefs of important gods and goddesses in rows inscribed into the rock.In Room A of Yazilikaya, there is a special arrangement of relief figures inscribed in rock.Here, with 2 exceptions, the gods are depicted on the left-side rock surfaces and only goddesses are represented on right-side rock surfaces. On the main facade, the meeting of the Tempest God and his wife the Sun Goddess plus their children is depicted. On the wall opposite the main facade, the great King Tuthalia I is depicted in larger dimensions. The King is depicted in ceremonial dress set over two hills and holding a rod of which one end is curved to symbolize sovereignty.

In Room B, reliefs are found on the side walls as independent figures. “Twelve Gods and the Sword King Nergal” holding scythe-like swords are the gods of the underworld. In the depiction, Sharruma, the Protector God of the great King Tuthalia IV is showing him the way.