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TURKEY TOURISM : ANKARA TRAVEL & TOURISM GUIDE

ANKARA SITES

Ankara, the Capital of The Republic of Turkey, was a deserted village in the early 1900s. Today it is a dynamic city, hosting many assemblies and ministries.
Over the years Ankara’s green parks have blossomed and are now part of the beautiful landscape. Residents enjoy spending their time out of doors, in particular enjoying a weekend picnic in the Atatürk Orman Çiftligi or Kızılcahamam forests.

Ankara is also host to the Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi which contains works from as far back as 5000 B.C.

For those wishing to get out of the city, Abant Lake, Safranbolu, and Cappadocia are near enough for weekend getaways.

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, SITES & RUINS

Turkey’s strategically and geographical location, housed many civilizations over centuries, making it a historical-ruin-rich region. Ankara and environ nestles many historical places and ruins.
Ankara has been a trade center and a route of caravansaries during the Seljuk and Ottoman Empire periods with the exporting of cloths made of famous Ankara goat hair (Angora). Many artifacts of Phrygian period have been found on the excavations at tumuli near the area.

Moreover there are several remains of Persian, Galatian and Roman civilizations. The city now you are living in has many stories dating well back. Don’t forget you are in Anatolia, the cradle of civilizations…

Augustus Tapınağı(Temple of Augustus)
Temple of Augustus was built in 10 AD by the Galatian King, Pylamenes on the ruins of the first temple constructed here that was dedicated to Goddess Men of Phrygians on 2nd century BC. The temple is formed of eight rows, with 15 pillars in each row. The testament of Augustus original of which is at Rome Temple, is engraved on the walls of the temple in Latin and Greek. This structure is also important for referring to the deeds of Augustus, which are also written in Latin. The military and political events between BC 43 and AD 14 has been specified on the testament text. The plan of the temple resembles the Artemis Temple in Manisa. In 5th Century, the temple is converted into a church by the Byzantines. Later, when Ankara was conquered by the Seljuks in the 2nd century Hacı Bayram mosque has been built next to the northwest of the temple. Today only the two walls and the door section stands.

Roma Hamamı (The Roman Baths)
Roma hamamý is located on Çankırı Caddesi near Ulus on a platform 2.5 meter high. It was built by the Roman Empire Caracalla (211-217). This platform has known to be a tumulus and layers of Roman, Seljuk and Phrygian times has been found on excavations made in 1937. The bath, which has completely been brought to light on 1940-1943, is 80 x 130 meters and made of stones and bricks. It consists of swimming pool, cool and hot rooms, undressing room and was used for almost five centuries and restored from time to time. It also carries specific signs of Roman times that baths were also used for wrestling and physical education. Today a very rich collection of Roman writings found near Ankara is being exhibited here.

Julianus Sütunu (Column of Julianus)
The Julianus Column on the park at Hükümet Meydanı, Ulus is of Byzantium style and has no inscriptions on it. The height is 15 meters and contains several rings around its body. It is supposed that the column was constructed in the honor of Emperor Julianus (AD 361-363) while he was passing through Ankara.

Ankara Roma Tiyatrosu (Ankara Roman Theatre)
The remains of a typical Roman theater of 2nd century were first been found as the result of excavations in 1982. The art works also found at these excavations are being exhibited at Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi.

Eti yokuşu
Tools belonging to Antique Stone Age were found on the excavations near Çubuk Çayý, 5 km. north of Ankara. Also on top there were remains of Antique Bronze Age culture and finally ruins of a big Roman period palace.

WELL-KNOWN SITES OF ANKARA

Gavurkale (Pagan Castle)
Constructed on a hill, 60 meters from the bed of Dedeyakup River, Gavurkale is 60 kilometers Southwest of Ankara. Name given by the locals due to the old and demolished walls around it. According to the results of excavations it is supposed that the Hittites constructed upper walls of the castle. The second layer carries traces of Phrygian culture. Since there was not many artifacts found it is believed that the Romans and Byzantium used Gavurkale as a jail.

Karalar köyü
Karalar is a small village about 60 km northwest of Ankara. The village has been a continuous residential area for centuries. The remains of a Galatian castle were discovered on the excavations at Sarkaya. Artifacts of Hellenistic period are found in the tumuli. Moreover the antique coins tell us existence of trade relations between Egypt and Syria.

Karaoğlan
Karaoğlan is 25 km south of Ankara on Konya highway. This tumulus consists layers of Old Bronze Age, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantium periods. It is one of the most important places having Hittite and Phrygian civilization layers.

Yumurta tepe (Demetevler Timülüsü)
This tumulus is located at Çiftlik-Demetevler crossing on the left, towards Demetevler road. Terracotta artifacts of Antique Bronze Age have been found in a small and round structure on top of the tumulus

OTHER INTERESTING AREAS OF ANKARA

Kızılay
The residents of Ankara give an address to a newcomer as “Don’t worry, it’s almost impossible to get lost for every road passes through Kızılay.” Although this has lost its validity with the growth of Ankara, Kızılay is still the area where the heart of Ankara beats. The area is named after the Kızılay (Red Crescent), Turkish Red Cross, building in the middle of the square. Anyhow a skyscraper now stands instead.
When you walk down from Çankaya along Atatürk Bulvarı you’ll notice that you reached Kızılay for the picture of the town changes. Various shops of famous brands and pasajs are lined on the right. It is also a favorite meeting point. On the left Güven Park with its splendid monument will draw your attention. YKM is located on the left of the park while Gima is on the right.

The building hosting both Gima and Kızılay PTT ( post office) has been in service since 1965 and known as the first skyscraper (!) of Ankara with its moderate 16-story height and still called Gökdelen (skyscraper). It may be fun to have a cup of tea or coffee at Set Cafeteria on the top of the building and watch the stream of Kızılay.

Yüksel Caddesi, just behind Gima is closed to vehicle traffic and a favorite place among university students, with its stands scattered on the streets offering second-hand books, handmade accessories, paints and gifts. This vivid area also hosts ABC and Dost Bookstores and many cozy cafes.

Just across the Gökdelen, multiple-story Soysal Pasajı meet you. The pasaj has two entrances one from Atatürk Bulvarı and other from famous Sakarya Çarşısı. Sakarya is a real entertainment area, again closed to vehicle traffic. Delicatessen, florists, fish sellers, döner, beer houses are all lined on Sakarya. Especially during springtime this area is glowing. Göksu is the most famous restaurant offering delicious mezes and dishes and joyful rakı evenings!!! Let’s remind that you may not find an empty table if you drop without reservation.

When you continue strolling down Atatürk Bulvarı you are going to see Büyük Çarşı, full of attractive jewelers and Zafer Çarşısı, a real book paradise. We strongly suggest you not to leave Kızılay before visiting Şekerci Ali Uzun and tasting Mastic Turkish delight or marzipan.

Kocabeyoğlu Pasajı on the other sidewalk of Atatürk Bulvarı is the oldest pasaj of Kızılay. İzmir Caddesi Kocabeyoğlu Arcade’s back entrance opens has once been as today’s Tunalı Hilmi before the opening of new shopping centers. The pasaj called Amerikan Pazarı (American Bazaar) was, and still is, the most popular site where various overseas products such as aftershave, clothing, perfume, cigarette and liquors, reached by various ways were being sold when overseas products has not been imported in Turkey. Today the residents of Ankara around forties certainly has bought his/her first Levi’s or Wrangler bluejeans, Converse shoes from this arcade..

Arcades, drapery shops, confectionaries, famous leather shops as Moda-Çanta and Togo are all lined on İzmir Caddesi and Çarşı is at the corner where the avenue intersects Atatürk Bulvarı.

Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi,
where the heart of the town beats, runs parallel to Atatürk Bulvarı, from Kavaklıdere to Akay. The avenue was named after Tunalı Hilmi Bey, who was among the first members of the National Assembly of the Turkish Republic and who was the first deputy to bring introduce the topics of workers' and women's rights to the assembly.
Anybody who has lived in Ankara has memories of this avenue. It is one of the most important shopping centers and meeting points in Ankara. Kuğulu Park, where swans brought from Beijing swim, and Karum Shopping Mall are the outstanding features of Tunalı Hilmi. In the 1960's, the park was within the borders of the present-day Polish Embassy, and there was a small creek running among the poplar trees. Kavaklıdere (Creek with poplars) district, where Tunalı Hilmi is situated, was named after these poplars and the creek.

Büklüm, Bülten, Bestekar, Abay Kunanbay and Buğday are the crowded streets intersecting Tunalı Hilmi. The most famous arcades along the avenue are Kuğulu, Seymenler, Ertuğ, Çelikler, Gümüşsoy, Uğurlu and Aynalı.

Flamingo pastry shop, Antik Tuğra, Subora stationery shop, Missuri dry-cleaning, plumber Fevzi Usta and glassmaker Uncle Mehmet (now Arkadaş Abajur), are among the famous stores on the avenue, serving the residents of the district for forty years.

MUSEUMS

Founded in the center of Anatolia in the early 1900s, Modern Ankara has several historical monuments some of which date back to prehistory. The museums exhibiting the art of the Urarts, Phrygians and Hittites offer visitors the chance to see these three eras at the same time. Also to be found is The State Cemetery in Atatürk Orman Çiftliği, which is set up as a museum.
This city became the capital of Turkey during the War of Independence and most of the museums include mementos of the war and of Atatürk.

Independence War Museum

Kurtuluş Savaşı Müzesi
Cumhuriyet Caddesi, 14 Ulus Ankara
Tel: (312) 310 71 40
Open everyday, except Monday, from 09:00 to 17:00 (closed between 12:00-13:00)
Construction of the building started in 1915, at which time it was to be used as the meeting hall of İttihat and Terakki (Union and Progress) Party. The party was founded in opposition to the Ottoman Sultan, and this building played an important role during the establishment of the young Turkish Republic; the first National Assembly was held here on April 23, 1920. This two story stone building was built in the Turkish architectural style and the andesine used is called Ankara Stone.

Emptied when the National Assembly moved to its new home in 1924, this building was subsequently used as the headquarters of the Party and Law School. It was converted into the Turkish Independence War museum in 1961, and here you can find many documents, photos, medals and private objects.

Anatolian Civilizations Museum

Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi
Kadife Sokak, Kale Ankara
Tel: (312) 324 31 60-61
Open everyday between 08.30 - 17.15
Entrance fee: 5.00 YTL

The museum is located southeast of Ankara Kalesi and is composed of two Ottoman Buildings. One of the buildings is called Mahmut Paşa Bedesteni while the other's name is Kurşunlu Han. The museum was founded in 1968 and was chosen "The European Museum of the Year" in 1977.

With its unique collection including Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hattie, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian and Roman works and Lydian treasures, The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is one of the world's most unique. These works and treasure are exhibited here in chronological order. In the museum, the reconstruction of The Çatalhöyük House, which is said to be the earliest known human community in the world, reflects prehistoric daily life.

You should spare about three hours in order to have a good visit to the museum. We also suggest you purchase the booklet highlighting Anatolian Civilizations and the works exhibited. It may also be a good idea to follow a guided group, if there is any. The 318-meter-tall King Tarhunza statue and the Kargamış hieroglyph tablets, the translations of which remind you how little some things in the world have changed over the millennia, are splendid. Also worth seeing are the gold, silver, glass, marble and bronze works from the Greek, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras, and the coin collection, which includes the first coin produced. The jewel collection of gold, silver and semi-precious stones attract the attention of visitors, especially women. After this long tour you can have a break at the museum's café.

Atatürk Kültür Merkezi Müzesi

Open everyday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Construction of the complex began in 1981; the 100th Anniversary of Atatürk's birth, and it was opened for service in 1987. The three-story museum is in the middle and comprises two sections: "The Museum of the War of Independence and Atatürk's Revolutions", and "The Museum of Science, Technology and Natural History".

On the first story, the reliefs on the walls depict scenes from the War of Independence and the revolutions, and feature quotations from Atatürk's on the topics of republic, independence, youth and art. The reliefs can be partially or completely illuminated, and audiovisual shows can be performed. These shows are in Turkish, English, German and French.

The Museum of Science, Technology and Natural History was established in collaboration with TUBİTAK (The Scientific Technical and Research Council of Turkey) and displays, among other things, various scientific and technical models, pictures, slides, videos and maps.

Source: mymerhaba.com