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The city of Ankara lies in the center of Anatolia
on the eastern edge of the great, high Anatolian
Plateau, at an altitude of 850 meters. It is the
center of the province of the same name, which is
a predominantly fertile wheat steppe-land with
forested areas in its northeast region. It is
bordered by the provinces of Cankiri and Bolu to
the north, Eskisehir to the west, Konya and
Aksaray to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir
to the east.
The region's history goes back to the Bronze
Age; Hatti Civilization, which was succeeded in
the 2nd millennium BC by the Hittites, then the
Phrygians (10th century BC); Lydians and Persians
followed. After these came the Galatians, a Celtic
race who were the first to make Ankara their
capital (3rd century BC). It was then known as
Ancyra, meaning anchor. The town subsequently fell
to the Romans, Byzantines, and Selcuks under ruler
Alparslan in 1073, and then to the Ottomans under
sultan Yildirim Beyazit in 1402, who remained in
control until the First World War.
The town, once an important trading center on
the caravan route to the east, had declined in
importance by the nineteenth century. It became an
important center again when Kemal Ataturk chose it
as the base from which to direct the War of
Liberation. In consequence of its role in the war
and its strategic position, it was declared the
capital of the new Turkish Republic on the 13th
October,1923.
Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum)
Located in an imposing position in the Anittepe
quarter of the city stands the Mausoleum of Kemal
Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic.
Completed in 1953, it is an impressive fusion of
ancient and modern architectural ideas and remains
unsurpassed as an accomplishment of modern Turkish
architecture. There is a museum housing writings,
letters and items belonging to Ataturk as well as
an exhibition of photographs recording important
moments in his life and the establishment of the
republic. An important exhibition of the War of
Liberation is also open to the public. (Anitkabir
and the museum is open everyday, except Mondays.
During the summer, there is a light and sound show
in the evenings).
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Close to the citadel gate, a 15th century
Ottoman bedesten has been beautifully restored and
since 1921 it houses a marvelous and unique
collection including Paleolithic, Neolithic,
Chalcolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian,
Urartian and Roman works. In 1997 this great
museum won the "European Museum of the Year" award
among 65 museums from 21 European countries. (Open
everyday, except Monday. During the summer, the
museum opens everyday).
The Ethnographical Museum
Opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa
Boulevard in Namazgah district is the
Ethnographical Museum. There is a fine collection
of folkloric artifacts as well as fine items and
rugs from Seljuk and Ottoman mosques in this
museum since 1930. When
Ataturk died in 1938, he was buried in the
internal courtyard until the construction of his
Mausoleum in 1953. The bronze statue of Ataturk on
the horse in front of the museum was made in 1927
by an Italian artist P. Canonica. (Open everyday,
except Monday).
The Ankara Citadel
The foundations of the citadel were laid by the
Galatians on a prominent lava outcrop, and
completed by the Romans; the Byzantines and
Seljuks made restorations and additions. The area
around and inside the citadel is the oldest part
of Ankara and many fine examples of traditional
architecture can be seen within the citadel walls.
There are also lovely green areas in which to
relax.
The Temple of Augustus
The Corinthian style temple can be found in the
old Ulus district of the city. It was built in the
1st century BC and only later dedicated to the
Emperor Augustus at the beginning of the 1st
century AD. It is important today for the 'Monument
Ancyranum' or 'Res gestae Divi Augusti', the
testament and political achievements of Augustus
that is inscribed on its walls in both Latin and
Greek. This inscription is the copy of the
original which was engraved on two bronze pillars
and placed at the entrance of his Mausoleum in
Rome. The originals are lost but the copy engraved
on the Augusteum in Ankara still exists. In the
fifth century the temple was converted to a church.
The Roman Bath
The bath, situated on Cankiri Avenue in Ulus,
has the typical features of Roman baths: a
frigidarium (cold section), tepidarium (cool
section) and caldarium (hot section). The hot and
warm rooms were wider divisions because of
Ankara's very cold winter climate. They were built
in the time of the Emperor Caracalla (3rd century
AD) in honor of the god of medicine, Asclepios.
The dimensions of the bath was 80x130 meters and
it was made of stones and bricks. Today only the
basement and first floors remain.
The Column of Julian
This column, in Ulus, was erected in 362 AD
probably to commemorate a visit by the Roman
Emperor Julian the Apostate on his way to the
campaign against Persians. It stands fifteen
meters high and has a typical leaf decoration on
the capital.
Haci Bayram Mosque
This mosque, in Ulus, next to the Temple of
Augustus, was built in the early 15th century and
subsequently restored by Sinan in the l6th century
with Kutahya tiles being added in the 18th century.
The mosque was built in honor of Haci Bayram Veli
whose tomb is next to the mosque.
Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum
This is Turkey's second industrial museum
opened in April 2005 by Koc family in a 500 year
old building. Cengelhan was originally built in
the mid-16th century by Rustem Pasha, husband of
Mihrimah Sultan and son-in-law of Suleyman The
Magnificent. This was a typical Anatolian
caravanserai offering lodging for travelers and
also supplies for the tradesman. This building
opposite the Citadel is now converted into a
museum preserving its architectural
characteristics in a new setting. Here, the story
of early industry is told through scale models
since most of the full-size objects are on exhibit
at the Istanbul Rahmi Koc museum.
You can also enjoy its Brasserie in the museum
courtyard, sitting together with classic cars from
1900s. |
