The cliff sanctuary of Yazılıkaya.

It is one thing to admire a mighty stone lion among the 3,000-year-old Hittite treasures in the Ankara Museum in Turkey and quite another, just hours later, to stand among the Hittite gods and kings themselves!

They are carved at every turn in the impressive cliff sanctuary of Yazılıkaya.

In this photo, Tamer Teoman of Teo World Culture Tours (New York, NY; 888/444-1110, www.teoworldculturetours.com) and I are standing in front of the god Sharrumma (in the tall crown), whose arm is around King Tudhaliya IV.

When our group strolled back down to the van, I stayed behind for a few minutes. In that stillness, I suddenly found myself filled with such a great sense of awe. It was one of those unforgettable moments.

— JOANNA FOSTER COPPOLA, Bristol, RI