Capital of the Hittite kingdom, the city of Bogazkale stands amid a spectacular backdrop of rocks at an altitude of 1,000m. The site has retained its temple (13C BCE), a cultural complex with storerooms used for both temporal and spiritual purposes. The ruins of the temple show its original layout. Not quite as old, the fortifications eloquently illustrate the Hittites' building expertise, by way of palisades, vaulted galleries, defensive gates, watchtowers and underground rooms, whose innovations inspired so many in later centuries.