Hattuşa Sphinx revives tourism in region

ÇORUM - Anatolia News Agency

The Hattusha Sphinx has returned to its home in the Central Anatolian province of Çorum’s Boğazkale district after 100 years, reviving tourism in the town.

The sphinx was brought to Turkey from the Berlin Pergamon Museum last summer following long-running talks with German officials and went on display Nov. 26, 2011, in its hometown.

According to officials, the sphinx has made a great contribution to the region’s tourism.

Speaking to Anatolia news agency, Boğazkale District Gov. Murtaza Dayanç said that according to data from the Boğazköy Museum, the ancient sites of Hattuşa and Yazılıkaya were visited by 58,000 people in 2011.

The official said the Boğazköy Museum had been renovated and visited by more than 10,000 people since reopening in May 2011.

Dayanç also said there had been a 23 percent increase in the number of visitors compared to figures in 2010.

He said that the governor’s office was preparing new projects to increase the tourism potential even more.