Sorgun Karakız ve Kazankaya Hitit Heykel Atölyeleri, Yozgat'ın Sorgun ilçesinde bulunan, 3200 yıl önceki Hitit dönemine ait bazalt aslan heykeli ve yarı işlenmiş taş blokları barındıran açık hava atölye kalıntılarıdır; ücretsiz ziyaret edilebilir.
Approximately 500 meters north of Karakız Town, in a rocky area, stands a lion sculpture surrounded by worked and semi-worked basalt stones. Archaeologists identify this as a sculpture workshop that operated during the Hittite period. The cutting marks on the stones reveal the stone craftsmanship of that era. The remains are estimated to date back approximately 3200 years, to the Hittite Imperial period.
In the Kazankaya locality, located one kilometer south of the Karakız-Kadışehri road, there is a carved water cistern with a diameter of 2 meters and also semi-worked basalt blocks. The region is also referred to as Hapis Boğazı Ruins in official records and is exhibited as an open-air museum. According to the statements of the Karakız Neighborhood Headman, there are two similar lion rocks in the region, one in the village and one in the mountainous area. It is also estimated that there are other remains underground that have not yet been unearthed.
The area is visited within its natural terrain, without a museum building or landscaping. Walking among the basalt blocks, it is possible to see the unfinished craftsmanship of Hittite stone masters up close. This is a completely different experience from the completed works in settlements.
Guide's Note
What Exactly Is This Place?
The rocky area in Karakız Town was used as a sculpture workshop during the Hittite period. The basalt lion sculpture and semi-worked stone blocks here are among the rare traces showing the working process of the stone masters of that era. In the Kazankaya Locality, there is a carved water cistern with a diameter of 2 meters. Both areas are documented with surface surveys belonging to the Hittite period in the archives of the Yozgat Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.
How to Get There
From Yozgat city center, reach Sorgun district by road, then head towards Karakız Town. The Karakız Municipality service building is a reference point: the rocky area where the lion sculpture is located is approximately 500 meters north from here. For Kazankaya Locality, follow the Karakız-Kadışehri road and go approximately 1 kilometer south. Public transport options are limited, going by private car makes it easier.
When to Visit
Since the area is entirely open-air and on terrain, the rocky ground can become slippery on rainy days. Late spring and summer months make walking more comfortable, both in terms of weather conditions and sparse vegetation. In winter months, access to the region may become difficult.
Things to Pay Attention To
Local headmen have made statements due to reports of illegal excavation activities targeting historical remains in the region. During your visit, it is necessary to walk carefully on the rocky ground and be cautious of excavation pits. There is no attendant or landscaping in the area, so you need to ensure your own safety.
Best Spots for Photography
When the basalt lion sculpture is photographed on the rocky ground with natural light, the texture of the stone appears clearer. The path passing through the semi-worked stone blocks is also suitable for shots reflecting the workshop atmosphere. The surroundings of the water cistern in Kazankaya can be preferred for wide-angle shots.
Suggested Route
First, visit the lion sculpture and workshop area in Karakız, then proceed to Kazankaya Locality by car. Combining these two points on the same day is a logical sequence for those who want to see the Hittite-era stone craftsmanship of the region holistically. If planned together with other historical sites in Sorgun district center, the day will be more fulfilling.
Other Places Nearby
Sorgun district is centrally located for accessing other Hittite and Phrygian period remains in Yozgat. It can be considered part of the same regional Hittite heritage as well-known ancient sites like Alacahöyük and Şapinuva. However, these areas are separated by certain distances, so it is necessary to check current road conditions in advance.
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