Situated on top of the eastern edge of the great Anatolian Plateau, the historic city of Ankara overlooks forests and meadows and dates back to the Bronze Age. The city was ruled by Galatians, Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks before falling under Ottoman control.

Ankara

Ankara, Turkey’s capital, is a mix of Ottoman architecture, modern skyscrapers, domed mosques and minarets.

This hidden gem has had new life breathed into it with the restoration of it’s art galleries, bistros and bazaars.

In Ankara you will find leafy parks with funfairs and that touch of eastern promise in the cobbled backstreets, with their spice markets, coffee shops and food stalls.

Ankara also has lots of fine historical attractions. The oldest parts of Ankara surround a magnificent castle which stands in beautiful gardens. There are also plenty of good museums containing priceless artefacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras together with Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu and Roman civilizations.

For those extra special holidays , Ankara is a must – you just have to experience it yourself!

KEY FACTS
Location – Anatolia, Turkey.
Time zone – GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Climate – Summers are warm and dry and the winters are cold and snowy. The rainy season is spring, especially May.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk

Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk (Anitkabir)
Ankara’s number one tourist attraction is the Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk, the founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk was President for 15 years, until his death in 1938. His achievements are a legacy to the modern state of Turkey and he is considered a pioneer of national liberation.
This stunning construction blends ancient and modern architectural design. There is a museum next door, containing a wax statue of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, together with his writings, personal items and other memoirs.

Temple of Augustus (Monument Ancyranum)
Built by the Galatian King Pylamenes in AD 10 as a tribute and sign of fidelity to Augustus, this temple was reconstructed by the Romans on the ancient Ankara Acropolis in the 2nd century. In the 5th century the temple was converted into a church by the Byzantines. Details of the achievements of Augustus are inscribed on its walls in Latin and Greek.

 
Museum of Anatolian Civilisations
Situated at the entrance of Ankara Castle, this museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts dating back to the third Millennium and a display of rare Paleolithic, Neolithic and Roman artworks.

Ethnography Museum

Ethnography Museum
Ankara’s Ethnography Museum, located opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard, is housed inside a white marble post-Ottoman building which was once Kemal Ataturk’s offices. The museum houses a fascinating collection of folkloric artefacts as well as items from the Seljuk and Ottoman eras.

Ankara Citadel
A visit to Ankara is not complete without a stroll around the the Old City and its much-besieged fortress. Sturdy foundations support rugged double walls built from huge stone blocks. There are many buildings nestled between the walls, of which many have been restored as historic monuments and are protected by UNESCO.

Caracalla Baths (Roman Baths)
Thought to have been constructed by the emperor Caracalla between 212 and 217, the remains of the roman baths are located on the south side of the city. Dedicated to Aesculapius, god of health, the baths originally comprised a dozen pools of water at varying temperatures. Today, amongst hundreds of columns the shape and footprint of the baths can still be seen as well as a wrestling arena. The baths were destroyed by fire in the 10th century.

Atakule

Atakule
For the best panoramic views across the rooftops of Ankara, you will need to go to Atakule, Ankara’s highest building at 410ft. It has a rotating glass tower which is accessed by a glass-framed elevator.