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Ankara: Sights, Places of Interest & Links |
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Background |
Though
thoroughly modern in appearance Ankara's history and that of the
surrounding area dates back to the Bronze Age and the Hatti
civilization. In the second millennium B.C. the Hittites followed
as lords of the land and were succeeded in turn by the Phrygians,
Lydians and Persians. In the third century B.C., the Galatians,
a Celtic race, made Ankara their capital. It was then known as Ancyra,
meaning anchor. The Romans and then the Byzantines held
this strategic expanse of land until 1073 when the Seljuk Turks
commanded by Alpaslan conquered it. Just over three centuries later in
1402, the city, then but a small outpost, passed into the hands of the Ottomans
led by Beyazıt I. Today,
Ankara, selected by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the republic's
founder, to house the capital of the newly politically defined country. |
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Selma
has put together some suggested itineraries for you. |
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1 Day Tour |
Museum
Tour: Begin your day at the
Museum
of Anatolian Civilizations. is home to one
of the finest archaeological collections in the world - the third most
important after The Louvre (Paris) and British Museum (London). This
museum contains a remarkable record of every civilization that passed
through Anatolia, from Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti and Hittite works
of art. It could take 3 hours to 8 hours to see this museum, depending on your interest level.
With the remainder of your day, you can browse the Cikrikcilar Yokusu
area which is full of unique shops offering copper, jewelry, carpets,
kilims, embroidery and hand crafts. To end your day, visit the
Atatürk
Mausoleum or Anitkabir - a "must see" for anyone
visiting Ankara.
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2 Day Tour |
If
You Have 2 Days, spend the first
day as suggested above. On the second day visit the
Ethnography
Museum which is located opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa
Boulevard. Then go back toward the
Ankara
Citadel
and spend your time wandering the streets, stop for a wonderful meal,
and don't forget to visit the bazaar close to the gate. Inside the
Citadel walls you will also find the Alaadin Mosque and Aslanhane Mosque
which should not be missed if you have the time.
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3 Day Tour |
If
You Have 3 Days, spend the first 2
days as outlined above. On the third day, take a taxi (about $5) or get
a minibus to Ulus. Visit
Haci
Bayram Mosque next to the
Temple
of Augustus and Ahi Evan Mosque. These are all situated in ulus.
Then head on to the shops!
Take a taxi to Kizilay and head toward Cankaya (2 areas of the city). There are great boutiques
and shops on both sides of the street. Have a Doner Kebab or stop at one
of the many cafes for lunch and
enjoy!
Whilst in Cankaya visit Atakule Tower which stands 125 meters high and whilst eating a lovely Turkish meal in a revolving restaurant where the entire city of Ankara can be seen. |
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4 Day Tour |
If
You Have 4 Days, spend the first 3
days as outlined above. In the morning of the fourth day, visit Bogazkoy, the site of the ancient capital of the Hittite empire, Hattusas. This site is probably the most important Hittite site in existence today. It is a 208 km - 2 hour drive from Ankara to Corum City, so you will need to hire a car or find a tour guide to take you there. |
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5 Day Tour |
If
You Have 5 Days, spend the first
4 days as outlined above. On the fifth
day, I
recommend renting a car and going to Kizilcihamam Kaplica, about 80 kms to thermal mineral
springs. |
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Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi) |
Museum
of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi) This museum, housedin a 15th century carvansaray, is home to one of the finest archaeological collections in the world - the third most important after The Louvre (Paris) and British Museum (London). This museum contains a remarkable record of every civilization that passed through Anatolia, from Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti and Hittite works of art. Some of the most important artifacts are the Paleolithic ceramic Mother Goddess and wall paintings from Catalhöyük (the oldest known civilization); neolithic tools; Bonze Age Hatti deer and bull statuettes; Assyrian clay cuneiform tablets; Hittite relief of the God of War taken from the King's Gate at Hattusas and the bronze statues of fertility gods; Phyrgian, Roman and Greek artifacts. This museum is a must see for all those interested in the history of man. Tel: (312) 324 31 60 Fax: (312) 311 28 39 Address: Hisar Cad. Ulus - Ankara Hours: Tues-Sun 8:30am-5pm; open Mon in summer, when admission doubles Admission: about $2.80 |
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| Atatürk
Mausoleum (Anitkabir) Dominating the skyline of Ankara is Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The building composed of limestone stands in majesty, with its beautiful architectural style and is reached by a ceremonial road adorned with fine statues and reliefs. Nearby is a museum where some of the personal belongings of Ataturk are housed - automobiles, personal library and clothing. This is a very well attended museum - it is the museum most visited by the Turkish people. Tel: (312) 231 7975 Address: Entrance on Akdeniz Cad., Anittepe Hours: Tues-Sun 8:30am-5pm Admission: Free |
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| Ethnographic
Museum (Etnografya Müzesi) This exquisite marble building was the first resting place of Atatürk, until his mausoleum was completed in 1953. Ethnography Museum is a Turkish art museum exhibiting works from the Seljuks to present and it is definitely worth an hour of your time. Clothing, jewelry, shoes and slippers from Anatolia, socks from Sivas region and various bowls, lace, scarves, belts, handkerchiefs, bed sheets, bride costumes, bridegroom shaving sets and old traditional Turkish art are exhibited. Of particular note are the 17th-century circumcision bed and the intricately carved wooden mihrabs (prayer niches) brought from different Selcuk and Ottoman mosques around Anatolia Tel: (312) 311 95 56 Address: Talat Pasha Bulvarı Opera - Ankara Hours: Open Tues-Sun 8:30am-5pm Prices: Admission about $1.20 USD |
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| Ankara
Citadel (Hisar) Almost all of the historical remains in the city are situated around the "Hisar", where according to legend an anchor was found while it was being constructed, from which the city took its name "Ancyra". Inside the walls it retains much of the flavor of a small Anatolian village. Narrow winding streets where you can catch a glimpse of typical Turkish homelife, traditional wood-beamed houses with large courtyards and gardens, many of which have been restored and converted into restaurants. There is also a covered bazaar, called "bedesten" close to the gate "Hisar Kapisi". Hours: None Admission: None |
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| Haci
Bayram Mosque (Haci Bayram Camii) Hükümet Caddesi, Ulus Constructed in the 15th century for the founder of the Bayrami dervish sect, a Sufi poet and composer of hymns, the Haci Bayram Mosque is one of the most important mosques in Ankara. The mosque was built in the Selcuk style and later restored by Sinan. The Haci Bayram Mausoleum attracts the faithful who visit the tomb of the Sufi mystic for prayer and inspiration. The mausoleum was completed a year after the mosque and borders the mihrab's exterior wall, with a marble facade and a sturdy lead dome over an octagonal drum. The tomb's original wooden exterior and interior entrance doors are now part of the collection of the Ankara Ethnography Museum. Address: Hükümet Caddesi, Ulus Hours: Open dawn-dusk Admission: Free! |
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Augustus Temple The temple was built by the Galatians in 10 A.D. as a tribute to Augustus and later reconstructed by the Romans in the 2nd century. This temple is of great importance because the document that is inscribed in Latin and Greek on the temple is the best preserved of Augustus. Before his death, Augustus prepared four documents - a list of his lifetime deeds, a financial and military accounting of the state of the empire, orders for his funeral, and his last will and testament. The Res Gestae Divi Augusti, or Deeds of Deified Augustus, on the wall of the temple is the sole surviving copy of the four. Similar incriptions of these deeds were found in Latin in Psidia and Tiochia in Yalvaç while the Greek version was on Phrygian Apollonin in Uluborlu. Address: Hükümet Caddesi, Ulus (Next to Haci Bayram Mosque Hours: None Admission: None |
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| Bogazkoy
is the site of the ancient capital of the Hittite empire, Hattusas. This
vast area, 1100m above sea level, is still under constant excavation and
has produced tens of thousands of clay tablets, written in the cuneiform
script. The majority of these tablets remain to be translated, and have
so far produced a wealth of information about the ancient middle east,
including a copy of the first known international peace treaty, between
Egypt and the Hittite empire. The Hittite empire lasted from around 1650
BC to 1180 BC and was contemporary with the reign of Egyptian kings such
as Tutankhamun and Ramses. The 'Lion Gate' was one of the 8
monumental entrances to the city of Hattusas, the lions serving to ward
off evil influences. The door jambs would have originally culminated in
an arch and been closed with wooden, bronze covered doors. The rock cut Temple
of Yatzilikaya lies 2km north east of Hattusas, and is the most
impressive of all the Hittite temples. This natural outcrop of rock
forms two chambers of different sizes and, in Hittite times, was the
location of a spring. It was established by King Tudhaliyas around 1450
BC and is decorated with a procession of gods carved into the rock face.
It is probable that it was used as the 'mausoleum' for the ashes of the
Hittite kings. |
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Museum of Painting and Sculpture |
Museum
of Painting and Sculpture A center for works of artists who played an important role in the development of Turkish Painting and Sculpture Arts. In addition to Turkish art, visiting exhibitions of painting, sculpture, ceramic, printed art and photographs are exhibited in the three galleries reserved for periodical exhibitions. |
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Museum of The Republic |
Museum
of The Republic Atatürk Bulvari, Ulus This two story building is decorated with Seljuk and Ottoman style. The entrance and wooden panels are interlacing star compositions that reflect the general characteristics of the First National Architectural Period. Also note the arches, eaves and tiles that are typical of the period. Tel: (312) 310 7140 Hours: Tues-Sun 8:30am-noon and 1-5pm Admission: Free! |
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Gordion |
Gordion
(Yassihoyuk) One of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. In the largest burial mound at the site, they located what eventually came to be identified as the tomb of Gordion's most famous son, King Midas! |
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Gordion Museum |
Gordion
Museum This museum houses artifacts that were found, for the most part, in the area of Gordia. It includes works of the Antique Bronze Age and the Phrygia Period which was ended with the King Midas; bowls from the Iron Age; in the new exhibition gallery, you can view a typical layered dwelling dated 700 B.C.; Greek ceramics imported in the ages 6 B.C. - 4 A.D.; and artifacts from Hellenistic Age and Roman periods are exhibited in the other parts of the new gallery. You can also view examples of seals and coins that were found in Gordian in the last section. |
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The Roman Baths |
The
Roman Baths Cankiri Ave., Ulus The Roman Baths, unusually large complex has three main divisions: a Phrigidarium, a Tepidarium, and a Caldarium. It was built during the Roman empire Caracalla (211-217), by the son of Septimius Severus in the 3rd Century to the honor of the God of Health and Medicine, Asklepion. The Palaestra, a place for physical education and wrestling is on the right, along the columned road with inscripted columns. The Phirigidarium (cool room) is just behind the sporting area, and Piscina (swimming pool) with stairs to sit on the sides. An Apoditarium (place to take off the clothes) is on the left. The Tepidarium (warm room) has column pieces of circled bricks which were once the bath rooms. The Caldarium (hot room) division is at the back of the bath and includes 12 stoke holes. It is interesting to note that the hot and warm rooms are more widely divided because of Ankara's very cold winter conditions. These rooms were supported with under-ground warming installations and this allowed the air to circulate easily - the upper rooms were warmed by this way. Hours: Daily 8:30am-12:30pm and 1:30-5:30pm Admission: about $1.20 USD |
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Museum of the War of Independence (Kurtulus Savasi Müzesi) |
Museum
of the War of Independence (Kurtulus Savasi Müzesi) Cumhuriyet Cad. Ulus - Ankara This elegant building served as the first official seat of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. The museum exhibition, on the second floor, includes documents, pictures, weapons, and objects from the War of Independence up to the founding of the Republic. Tel: (312) 311 04 73 Hours: Tues-Sun 9am-4:30pm Admission: about $1.20 USD |
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Ballıhisar (Pessinus) |
Down
the road from Gordion is Ballıhisar (Pessinus), an
important Phrygian religious cult center. The most important remains are
those of a temple to Cybele, the mother goddess whose worship was
at the heart of the Phrygian culture. The small open air museum has some
interesting sculptures and tombstones. At Midas Şehri two
enormous facades cut into a rocky promontory once held cult statues for
the worship of Cybele in their niches. Throughout the area rock tombs -
cave-like openings - pierce the sand colored stone. A recently
discovered underground passage leads from the site to the valley below. |
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Hot Springs |
Kizilcahamam
Kaplica (80 km) Haymana Kaplica (72 km) Ayas Kaplica (57 km) Dutlu Kaplica (85 km) All offer comfortable facilities in which to soak away your cares in thermal mineral springs. |
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Ankara FAQs, Insider Tips and Links Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel Links |
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LINKS |
http://www.hitit.co.uk/regions/Ankara/facilities.html http://www.serve.com/archaeology/anatolia.html |
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This
page was last updated on |
If you have any questions,
comments or if you have any full or half day trips you would like to
add, we would be very happy to share them with the world! |
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