Boğazköy Museum is an archaeological museum located in the Boğazkale district center, 82 kilometers southwest of Çorum, exhibiting artifacts unearthed from the excavations of the Hittite capital Hattusha. Opened in 1966 and reorganized in 2011, the museum features two statues from the Sphinx Gate, information about the Lion Gate, and Hittite-era artifacts.
Boğazköy Museum stands right next to the Hittite capital Hattusha, in the Boğazkale district center. It was opened in 1966 and reorganized in 2011. The exhibition is chronological: the first hall on the ground floor begins with artifacts from the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Ages, extending through the Assyrian Trade Colonies period to the Phrygian, Galatian, Roman, and Eastern Roman (Byzantine) periods.
The most well-known pieces in the museum are the two sphinx statues that adorned the Sphinx Gate in Hattusha. Severely damaged in a fire, they were taken to Berlin for restoration in 1907; one returned to the Istanbul Archaeological Museums in 1924, while the other remained in Berlin until 2011. Both have been exhibited here, under the same roof, since November 26, 2011. Passing through the gate where the sphinxes are located, one enters the Hittite hall; here, the state structure, religious and military order, and writing system are explained with panels, a stone mason is depicted with a reenactment, and a large model of Hattusha's temple stands in place. In the garden, there are steles with hieroglyphic inscriptions, as well as milestones and tombstones from the Roman and Eastern Roman periods.
A prominent point in visitor comments is that the museum is small but well-organized, and the staff are helpful. Some state that there is no parking problem and that the Museum Pass is valid. It is especially recommended for those interested in Central Anatolian and Hittite history.
Related discoveries: Places to visit in Çorum, Historical Sites, Historical sites in Çorum, Alacahöyük Museum and Ancient City.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Boğazkale is on a high plateau, so seasonal differences are distinctly felt. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months to visit both the museum and the nearby Hattusha ancient city. In summer afternoons, the sun is intense, especially in the ancient city where shade is scarce, while the museum interior remains cool. In winter months, snow can be seen in the region, and careful driving may be required on the roads.
How to Get There
Boğazköy Museum is located 82 kilometers southwest of Çorum, in the Boğazkale district center. From Çorum city center, it takes approximately 1-1.5 hours by private car. Since public transportation services are limited, going by your own car or a rental car is the most practical option. For those coming from Ankara, Boğazkale is also within a day-trip distance.
How Much Time to Allocate at the Museum
The museum itself is not large and can be comfortably explored in 45 minutes to 1 hour. However, while in Boğazkale, it is also necessary to see the Hattusha ancient city; that alone can take half a day. The nearby Alacahöyük Museum and ancient city can also be added to the same day's itinerary, making for a full-day program.
Itinerary Suggestion with Hattusha
Visiting Boğazköy Museum in the morning and then moving on to the Hattusha ancient city is a logical sequence. You will better understand the originals of the Sphinx Gate statues and the real dimensions of the temple model you saw in the museum when you visit the ancient city. If time permits, Alacahöyük can also be visited on the same day, which is approximately 45 minutes away from Boğazkale.
Things to Pay Attention To
Visitors state that they did not experience any problems with parking. The Museum Pass is valid for Turkish citizens; it is sufficient to have it with you. Since Boğazkale is a rural settlement, food and drink options are limited, so it would be beneficial to bring water and snacks if you plan a full day of sightseeing.
Good Spots for Photography
The two sphinx statues in front of the Sphinx Gate are the most photographed corner of the museum. The stone mason reenactment and the large temple model in the Hittite hall are also suitable for detailed shots. The steles with hieroglyphic inscriptions in the garden are a good option for those who want to photograph them outdoors with natural light.
General Information About the Museum
The museum operates as a unit affiliated with the Çorum Museum. Nearly 30,000 cuneiform tablets found in Hattusha have been on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register since 2001; some of these tablets and related information can be found on the panels inside the museum. Visitor comments frequently mention that the museum is small in scale but rich in content, and that the staff are helpful.
FAQ
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