15 April 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez with other Ambassadors based in Ankara participated in the Ambassador’s Cultural Tour in Çorum from April 09 to 10, upon the invitation of Governor Ahmet Kara of the Province of Çorum, to mark the 30th anniversary of inscription of the Hattusa Archeological Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Çorum, a city located in the middle of the Black Sea Region of Turkey and the capital of the ancient civilizations of the Hittites (Hattuşa) and the Phrygians, is home of the famous ancient artifacts such as the original two sphinx statues that once stood guard at the Hattuşa gate which are now put on display at the Boğazkale Museum; the original Lions Gate which guarded the ancient Hattuşa’s temple; the carved figures of the Hittites gods and goddess at the Yazilikaya Open Air Temple; the pre-Hittite tombs at the Alacahöyϋk Museum and Alacahöyϋk Ruins, among others.
The Ambassadors were also hosted to a dinner by Governor Kara at Anita Hotel where he expressed his appreciation to the Ambassadors for their presence in Çorum. Hittite-designed clothes were presented to entertain the Ambassadors during the dinner.
Governor Kara also assured the diplomats that Turkey is as safe as any other Western country. END