History of Boğazkale
Boğazkale is a district located in the southwest of Çorum and is one of the oldest settlement areas in Anatolia. Its history reaches back to very ancient times; in particular, Hattuşa, the capital of the Hittite Empire situated right beside the district center, and Yazılıkaya, the magnificent open-air sanctuary of that city, are the district’s foremost historical sites. Hattuşa and its surroundings held a defining position in Anatolian history as the political, religious, and cultural center first of the Hatti and then of the Hittite civilization.
History and Administrative Background
In the early years of the Republic, the settlement was called Boğazköy, but in 1936 its name was changed to Boğazkale. A municipal organization was established in 1967, and in 1987 it was separated from Sungurlu and made into a district. Before gaining district status, Boğazkale was a township (bucak) center attached to Sungurlu; in 1987, in consideration of the region’s touristic importance, it was converted into a district and connected directly to Çorum.
Archaeological Work
The discovery of Hattuşa and Yazılıkaya by the scientific community took place in 1834. Between 1835 and 1894, various foreign archaeologists carried out individual studies, and from the period around 1906 onward, regular excavations were begun by German teams. Since 1931, the excavations have largely been carried on without interruption, and for many years the work at the Hattuşa archaeological site was conducted on behalf of the German Archaeological Institute. These excavations brought to light archives containing Hittite cuneiform tablets, monumental gates, and temple structures.
The Hattuşa and Yazılıkaya archaeological sites in Boğazkale were declared a National Park pursuant to a Council of Ministers decision published in the Official Gazette dated 02.10.1998. The same sites were also added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in need of protection.
Geographical Structure
The district has a surface area of 260 km², an elevation of 1,036 m, and an average annual rainfall of 490.3 mm. Its vegetation generally consists of steppes; its most important watercourse is the Budaközü Stream. A continental climate prevails in the district. Of the total land area of approximately 22,902 hectares, part is forest and part is meadow, pasture, and farmland. The greater part of the land lies in the mountainous region, and the remainder in the plains. Poplar trees are found in the district center and in the town of Evren, while oak and pine trees are found in the mountainous areas.
Administrative Structure and Population
According to the general census conducted on 22 October 2000, the population of the district center was 1,970, and that of the 12 villages and two towns was 6,220, for a total population of 8,190. The district center consists of three neighborhoods. The İbikçam hamlet, attached to the Hisar neighborhood, is seven km from the district.
Economic and Social Situation
Boğazkale is approximately 87 km from Çorum, 30 km from Sungurlu, and 40 km from Yozgat. The local people meet most of their needs from the nearby towns of Yozgat and Sungurlu. The district economy is based mainly on agriculture and livestock raising; although the cultivable agricultural area is 12,110 hectares, irrigated farming is weak. Crops such as wheat, chickpeas, barley, and oats are grown, and sugar beet is planted on the small amount of irrigated land. Despite its unique archaeological heritage, tourism was long unable to contribute to the district economy at the desired level due to insufficient promotion.
Education, Culture, and Health
The district has one multi-program high school and nine primary schools. The total number of students in these schools is 1,461, and about 98% of the population is literate. One health clinic each serves the district center as well as the towns of Evci and Evren.
Related Places
For the ruins in the district’s ancient capital, Hattuşaş and the Boğazköy Museum, where the artifacts found there are exhibited, stand out. For Hittite settlements of the same period, Alacahöyük and Şapinuva can be visited, and for the history of the region, History of Sungurlu and the Çorum Museum.
ℹ️ This article has been enriched with additional historical context and editing over the original archive content.
