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From Big Ben to Tower Bridge, explore 25 of the most famous landmarks in London. Discover incredible monuments, palaces, structures and cultural treasures steeped in history and heritage.
Apr 3, 2024 · 1. Visit Anıtkabir, Ataturk’s tomb complex. 2. See Ankara on a tour. 3. Admire the panoramic views from Ankara Castle. 4. Shop for souvenirs in the Old Quarter. 5. Travel back in time in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. 6. Learn new things in the Rahmi M. Koç Museum. 7. Have Turkish breakfast on Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu Street. 8.
- Overview
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- The contemporary city
Ankara, city, capital of Turkey, situated in the northwestern part of the country. It lies about 125 miles (200 km) south of the Black Sea, near the confluence of the Hatip, İnce Su, and Çubek streams.
While the date of the city’s foundation is uncertain, archaeological evidence indicates habitation at least since the Stone Age, and a thriving Phrygian town was located in the area at the end of the 2nd millennium bce. Alexander the Great conquered Ankara in 333 bce, and in the 3rd century bce the town served as the capital of the Tectosages, a tribe of Galatia (the ancient name for the region around Ankara). In 25 bce Ankara was incorporated into the Roman Empire by the emperor Augustus.
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As a city of the Byzantine Empire, Ankara was attacked by both the Persians and the Arabs. About 1073 Ankara fell to the Seljuq Turks, but the Crusader Raymond IV of Toulouse drove them out again in 1101. The Byzantines, however, were unable to maintain their control, and Ankara became a bone of contention between the Seljuqs and their rivals among the Turkish frontier lords. After 1143, Seljuq princes fought among themselves for possession of the city. With the establishment of the Seljuq empire, Ankara declined.
In 1354 the city was captured by Orhan (Orkhan), the second sultan of the Ottoman dynasty, and it became a part of the Ottoman domains in 1360. Ankara was besieged during the Anatolian campaign of Timur (Tamerlane). In 1403 it again became subject to Ottoman rule, and in subsequent centuries it regained its importance as a commercial and urban centre because of its location on the caravan route to the East.
After World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Turkish nationalist leader, made Ankara the centre of the resistance movement against both the government of the Ottoman sultan and the invading Greek forces; he established his headquarters there in 1919. Ankara was declared the capital of Turkey in 1923.
The architecture of the present-day city reflects its varied history. Remains from the Roman era include a bath, the Column of Julian, and the Temple of Roma and Augustus. Byzantine remnants include the citadel and a cemetery. The square Alâeddin Mosque, with one minaret, is located near the walled citadel and dates from the Seljuq era. Ottoman buildings are numerous and include the Hacı Bayram Cami (1427–28), as well as the Mahmud Paşa market and the Kurşunlu Han, two 15th-century buildings that have been converted to house the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. The modern city contains the huge Atatürk Mausoleum complex.
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Government is the main business in the city, but Ankara is also Turkey’s second most important industrial city after Istanbul. Factories producing wine and beer, flour, sugar, macaroni products, biscuits, milk, cement, terrazzo (mosaic paving), construction materials, and tractors are well established. Service and tourist industries are expanding rapidly.
Ankara is an important crossroads for trade and forms a major junction in the road network of Turkey. The city lies on the main east-west rail line across Anatolia. Esenboğa Airport, to the northeast, provides international services.
The city is the seat of the University of Ankara (established 1946), Hacettepe University (1967), and the Middle East Technical University (1956). The National Library is also located there, as are the state theatre and the Presidential Symphony Orchestra.
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Ankara is also famous for the Monumentum Ancyranum (Temple of Augustus and Rome) which contains the official record of the Acts of Augustus, known as the Res Gestae Divi Augusti, an inscription cut in marble on the walls of this temple.
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- Visit Anitkabir. Anitkabir is the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. This monumental site is not only a significant symbol of Turkish history but also a marvel of architecture.
- Explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Get a comprehensive overview of Turkey’s ancient history at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. From Paleolithic era artifacts to exhibits from the Ottoman period, this museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past.
- Visit Ankara Castle. Situated in the Citadel neighborhood, Ankara Castle is a hilltop fortress that dominates the city’s skyline. Walk along the ancient walls, admire the structure’s resilience against time, and enjoy panoramic views of Ankara.
- Shop in the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter is a haven for shoppers and those interested in local culture. Wander through the bustling markets, haggle over traditional crafts, textiles, and antiques, and soak in the lively atmosphere.
Ankara. Ankara is the capital of Turkey, central within the country on the plateau of Central Anatolia. It's a sprawling modern place around an ancient citadel, and in 2022 had a population of almost 5.2 million (second in size to Istanbul), with a further 600,000 living in the wider metropolis.
Apr 15, 2024 · 1. Ankara Castle – Ankara Citadel. Ankara Castle is in the Ulus area of the city, dating back to 476 BC. The castle was originally a defensive fortress, and you can still see the military influence in its architecture today.
