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9 places to visit in the Alaca district of Çorum: Alacahöyük Archaeological Site, Alacahöyük Museum and Alaca Castle. Plan your trip to Alaca with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Alaca is a district of Çorum province, with an area of 1,296 km² and an elevation of 925 metres. The district centre has 7 neighbourhoods, and there are 101 villages in the district.

History

Recorded as Hüseyinabad, Alaca became a district in 1919, and its municipality was established in 1920.

Geography

Alaca lies on the road linking the Black Sea Region with the Central Anatolia Region. It is 52 km from Çorum, 53 km from Yozgat and 43 km from Sungurlu, and its annual rainfall is 376 mm.

Alacahöyük

Alacahöyük holds the distinction of being the first national excavation in Türkiye’s history, and it contains royal tombs, lion sphinxes and a temple. Some of the finds are displayed in the Alacahöyük Museum, and some in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations.

History and Culture

Excavations that began at Alacahöyük in 1935 revealed four layers of civilisation. The Alacahöyük excavation was started on Atatürk’s order, in the name of the Turkish Historical Society. At Alacahöyük, 13 tombs dating from the Early Bronze Age, thought to belong to princes, were found. Alaca became a district in 1919; before that it appeared as a subdistrict under the name Hüseyinabad.

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Places to Visit in Alaca

  • 3 Historic
  • 3 Ancient City
  • 2 Religious
  • 1 Museum

Historic Sites 3

Historic

Alaca Castle

A castle on the rocky hill in the district centre, built in the Seljuk period. Panoramic views of the Alaca plain and surrounding villages can be enjoyed from the castle.

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Historic

Pazarlı Mound

An important archaeological site from the Phrygian period, where coloured terracotta reliefs and architectural remains were found in Pazarlı. The finds from the excavations are displayed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara.

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Historic

Büyük Güllücek Mound

A mound dating from the Chalcolithic Age (4000–3000 BC), it is one of the earliest settlement areas in the region. Painted pottery recovered from the excavations documents the early cultural development of central Anatolia.

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Ancient Cities 3

Alacahöyük Archaeological Site - Alaca Photo: Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Ancient City

Alacahöyük Archaeological Site

The excavation area of a historic settlement from the Hittite period, containing royal tombs and temples.

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Ancient City

Gerdek Rock Tomb

A rock tomb located 18 km north of Alaca, within the boundaries of Camili Village.

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Ancient City

Eskiyapar

Apart from Alacahöyük, scientific excavations are continuing at Eskiyapar and Mahmudiye.

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Religious Buildings 2

Religious

Hüseyin Gazi Complex

3 km south of Alaca; a complex consisting of a tomb, soup kitchen, guesthouse, fountain and pool.

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Religious

Old Mosque

A mosque in Alaca, built in 1763 by Ömer Osman Pasha.

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Museums 1

Alacahöyük Museum - Alaca Photo: Ingeborg Simon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Source
Museum

Alacahöyük Museum

A museum displaying finds recovered from the excavations.

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Places to Visit Around Çorum Province

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While you are in Alaca, you can also see the highlights of Çorum province. These places are in other districts; Alaca is about 52 km from the provincial centre.

  • Hattuşa (Boğazköy) — The Hittite capital, 82 km south-west of Çorum and 4 km east of Boğazkale.
  • Hattuşa Great Temple and Green Stone — The Great Temple in the Lower City, measuring 65 × 42 metres and thought to have been dedicated to the Storm God and the Sun Goddess.
  • Yazılıkaya — The Hittite open-air sanctuary 2 km north-east of Hattuşa.
  • Alacahöyük — A mound 15 km north-west of Alaca, where 15 building levels from four cultural phases have been identified.
  • Şapinuva — A military and religious centre at Ortaköy, known as the second largest city of the Hittite Kingdom.
  • Boğazköy Museum — A museum at the entrance to Hattuşa displaying the tablets, seals and ceramics unearthed at the site.

Practical Information for Visiting Alaca

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
9 places

What to Eat in Alaca

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  • Alaca Borana Yemeği (Alaca borana dish)

    Alaca Borana Yemeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 1 February 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1530). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.

  • Alaca Çılbır Yemeği (poached eggs with yoghurt)

    Alaca Çılbır Yemeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 5 August 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1624). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.

  • Alaca Yarma Aşı (cracked wheat soup)

    Alaca Yarma Aşı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 22 November 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1502). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Alaca

  • Hittite and Hattian Heritage

    The royal tombs and sun-disc standards discovered at Alacahöyük are among the most valuable remains of the Hattian civilisation, which dates from the 3rd millennium BC. These finds are accepted as evidence of Anatolia's oldest state tradition.

  • Traditional Village Life

    Traditional Anatolian ways of life continue in the villages of Alaca. Wedding customs, handicrafts and local culinary culture are passed down from generation to generation.

Local Products

  • Alaca Camili Kilimi (Alaca Camili kilim) — Alaca Camili Kilimi was registered as a protected geographical indication on 19 April 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1578). Product group: carpets and kilims. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.
  • Alaca Cızlağı (griddle-baked flatbread) — Alaca Cızlağı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 1 February 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1531). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, sweets. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.
  • Alaca Hingali — Alaca Hingali was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 August 2024 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1625). Product group: dishes and soups. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.
  • Alaca Mor Soğanı (Alaca purple onion) — Alaca Mor Soğanı was registered as a protected geographical indication on 14 December 2022 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1289). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.
  • Alaca Yanıç Böreği — Alaca Yanıç Böreği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 22 November 2023 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 1503). Product group: bakery and confectionery products, pastries, sweets. Registered by: Alaca Municipality.

Economy

The economy of Alaca is based on agriculture and livestock farming. Wheat, barley, sugar beet and chickpeas are the main agricultural products. Small and large livestock farming are important sources of livelihood. Thanks to the Alacahöyük archaeological site, cultural tourism also contributes to the district's economy.

How to Get to Alaca

Alaca is 52 km from Çorum provincial centre. It lies on the route from the Black Sea coast into Central Anatolia. Intercity bus connections via Çorum are available.

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Alaca: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the places to see in Alaca?

The 9 main sights in Alaca are Alacahöyük Archaeological Site, Alacahöyük Museum, Alaca Castle, Pazarlı Mound, Büyük Güllücek Mound, Gerdek Rock Tomb, Hüseyin Gazi Complex, Old Mosque and Eskiyapar.

What is there to eat in Alaca?

Alaca Borana Yemeği, Alaca Çılbır Yemeği and Alaca Yarma Aşı are the standout dishes at tables in Alaca.

What is Alaca famous for?

Alaca is known for Alaca Camili Kilimi and the Hittite and Hattian heritage. It is a registered product with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication.

How do I get to Alaca?

Alaca is 52 km from Çorum provincial centre. It lies on the route from the Black Sea coast into Central Anatolia. Intercity bus connections via Çorum are available.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Alaca?

Suggested visit length: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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