Ankara Travel Guide: Ankara was officially determined as Turkey’s new capital on October 13, 1923. The republic was declared in Ankara on October 29, 1923. But it has a much longer history than that. Ankara, which has a history of more than 5000 years, has been hose to numerous civilizations
due to it central location in Anatolia. Ankara, which is located within the borders of the
Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, Ottomans, and finally Turkey, has
many places to visit. It is also Turkey’s second largest city and is growing by the day.
Places to Visit in Ankara
Anıtkabir
The location of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s tomb. When Atatürk was alive, he said, “There
would be very nice mausoleum here”. The location of Anıtkabir today is a resuşt of this
discourse. Today, Anıtkabir is one of the most important places for Turkish citizens.
Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum
This museum has been in service since April 23, 2007.
It is first applied culture museum in Turkey. In the museum, interactive exhibition methods
and animation are applied. Visitors can thus fall themselves in a variety of scenes, from
National Struggle heroines to traditional bridal henna.
Cernmodern Art Center
Cermodern Art Center is Ankara’s first modern arts center. From workshops to festivals, a
wide rande of artistic events are held are. The venue, which prioritizes performing and
modern arts, also has current exhibitions and an art library.
Furthermore, the ‘Water Fairies’ sculpture, which was brought to Ankara from Italy in the
early years of the Republic and is now displayed in front of the Cermodern Art Center, is one
of the most beautiful things to see.
Nurol Art Gallery
The works of young artists as well as masters of Turkish Plastic Artsa are offered in this art
gallery, which organizes an average of eight exhibitions par season. In addition to exhibitions,
the art center, which is a multifunctional institution, organizes conferences, concerts and talks,
book signing and promotion days, workshops, and training workshops. Young talents are
discovered and supported through these workshops. You can view the current exhibition
schedule at this art gallery’s website and participate based on your interests.
Ankara Castle
Ankara Castle, which is the city’s symbol as a fusion of different historical periods, was
expanded by the Seljuks and it now has more than twenty towers. Inside the castle, you can
see the Ankara Houses and the Alaeddin Mosque. The castle, which is 43 square meters in
size, has 42 towers that rise up to 16 meters. It is known that a shelter for 1200 people was
built beneath the castle by the Germans during World War II.
Pink Mansion (İsmet İnönü House)
Between 1925 and 1973, İsmet İnönü and his family lived in this mansion. This is also the
mansion where Atatürk held numerous meetings. It also was organized Ankara’s first ball, as
well as the city’s firs exhibitions and concerts.
Atatürk Museum Mansion
This location witnessed the most significant events of the War of Independence and the early
years of the Republic. The museum’s building was given to Atatürk by the Ankara
Municipality in 1921. This was Atatürk’s official residence until 1932. The mansion
witnessed many intense studies and decisions during periods such as the War of Independence
and the proclamation of the Republic.
Ankara Travel Guide:
Anatolian Civilizations Museum
The establishment of this museum, whic illuminates Ankara’s history from the Paleolithic
Age to the present day, is based on Atatürk’s idea. The museum was established in the Roman
Bath and contains Hittite artifacts collected from various locations throughout Anatolia.
Mahmutpaşa Bedesten and Kurşunlu Han are both housed in the Anatolian Civilizations
Museum, which is divided into two buildings. In 1997, this museum was chosen as Europe’s
Museum of the Year.
Nata Vega Aquarium
This aquarium contains 12,000 sea creatures and has a water capacity of 4.5 million liters and
a length of 98 meters. The aquarium also has a section called Adrenaline World. In this area,
250 different species of wild animals including tarantulas, desert vipers and rattlesnakes
coexist.
Gordion Museum
Since 1963, the Gordion Museum has welcomed visitors. There are collections from the
Hellenistic Period, the Old Bronze Age, the Lydian Period, and the Roman Period in this
museum. The outdoor exhibition space at this museum is 5,000 square meters.
Museums: Ethnography Museum, Mehmet Akif Ersoy Literature Museum, Toy Museum,
Agriculture Museum, Beypazarı Living Museum, Meteorology Museum, Natural History
Museum, Chess Museum, Ulucanlar Prison Museum
Art Galleries: Ankara Culture and Art House, Contemporary Arts Center, Kuğulu Art
Gallery, Brush Art Gallery Nurol Art Gallery
Ankara Travel Guide:
Bazaars: Kızılay Square, Tunali Hilmi Street, Tunisia Street
Parks: Şahinler Nature Park, Karagöl Nature Park, Atatürk Forest Farm, Botanical Park,
Güvenpark, Kuğulupark, Altınpark, Soğuksu National Park, Seğmenler Park
Natural Beauties: Salt Lake, Mogan Lake, Eymir Lake, Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary
Also: Ankara Wonderland, Wonderland Ankapark, Atakule, 50th Year Park, Ayas Houses,
METU, TBMM, Roman Bath, Elmadağ Ski Center, Estergon Castle, Ankara Cable Car, Stop
Passenger Monument, Gordion Ancient City…
Ankara Cuisine: Aş soup, dutmaç, keşkek soup, miyane soup, milk soup, lamb with pilaf,
alabörtme, calla shepherd’s roast, ilişkik, uruş kapama, homaça, forest kebab, meat with
eggplant, sızgıç, siyer, siyel, bici, bulgur pilaf, oğmaç aşı, pıt pıt pilaf, mücirim meatballs,
tohma, tiridi meatballs, stuffed efelek, stuffed şirden (bumbar), Altüst pastry, bundle pastry,
entekke pastry, hamman, papaç, Carcıran, bici aşı, çılbır (poached eggs with yoghurt),
çırpma, göçe, göter, kale, keşkek, köremez, omaç…
