45 Ancient Ruins That Are Even More Stunning Than the Pyramids

39. Hattusa (Çorum Province, Turkey): Capital of the Mighty Hittite Empire

Far less known than Rome or Athens, Hattusa was the sprawling capital of the Hittite Empire, a major rival to ancient Egypt, flourishing from around 1600 to 1200 BCE. Nestled in Anatolia, its impressive ruins include massive fortifications with secret tunnels, grand temples, and royal palaces. The site's most famous features are the Lion Gate and the unique cuneiform tablets discovered here, which revealed the Hittites' advanced legal and political systems. Hattusa offers a deep dive into a powerful, sophisticated Bronze Age empire often overlooked in mainstream history.