Lion Gate Exterior

View looking north from outside the city wall of Hattusha at the exterior of the Lion Gate that is located in the southwestern bend of the southern wall of the city.

Two lions guard this entrance to the Upper City.  The one on the left has been damaged since it was excavated.

Between the two lions is where a corbel vault passageway was located—the stones of the upper portion have disappeared.  One of the "posts" of the interior gate is visible in the photo.

This is one of the two main entranceways into the Upper City—the other one being the "Kings's Gate."  Vehicular traffic could pass through this Lion Gate.

The gate was constructed during the period of the Hittite Empire (1360–1180 B.C.).