Top 20 Ankara Attractions, Turkey

The city is located on the territory that in the past belonged to different empires. The architecture partly recalls the times of Byzantine and Roman rule. Ankara is inferior to Istanbul in terms of population, but every year it catches up with the former Ottoman capital in terms of culture and tourism opportunities.

Ankara received its current status only in the 20s of the last century. Then it began to grow and change. Some areas, such as Hamamonu, have been completely rebuilt and modernized. Along with this, old mosques have been preserved, and caravanserais have been given over to museum collections. According to this principle, the Rahmi M. Koch Polytechnic Museum also received the building. Appear in Ankara and new buildings. So the presidential palace was erected in 2014, and the residence became one of the largest in the world.

What to see and where to go in Ankara?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

Anitkabir

Tomb of the first President of Turkey - Ataturk. Construction was carried out from 1944 to 1953. The area of ​​the complex is about 750 thousand m². There are many objects on its territory, including the Peace Park, the Lviv Road, the Hall of Fame and the Ceremonial Square. When designing and decorating, Ottoman and Seljuk motifs were used. A large collection of cars belonging to Ataturk is also available for inspection.

Citadel

One of the main city attractions. Also known as the Citadel of Hisar. The location on a hill allows you to see an impressive building from different parts of Ankara. The structure is a fortress surrounded by two levels of walls. They were built in the 6th and 9th centuries. Of the 20 towers, only a few remain. Tourists are allowed to climb to the east to explore the surroundings.

Presidential palace

The official residence of the Turkish leader. It is one of the largest among such structures in the world. Put into operation in 2014. The first guest of the palace is Pope Francis. In addition to the main three-story building, there are two more on the territory that perform auxiliary functions. They are equipped with the latest technology and all belong to the Art Nouveau architectural style.

Hamamonu District

It is located in the central part of the Old City. After a number of restorations, Hamamonu has largely become a pedestrian zone. The restructuring affected about 250 objects. The traditional architecture of Turkey has been preserved, while many modern shops and recreational facilities have appeared. On major state and religious holidays, the area is transformed and hosts various events.

Kyzylay Square

Central square of the city. It is surrounded by modern buildings: universities, shops, offices, restaurants. Transport routes converge here together, so it is convenient to get to the square from any district of Ankara. Within walking distance of entertainment, including cinemas and exhibition halls. Kyzylay has repeatedly become a venue for protests and major New Year events.

Mosque of Kocatepe

Built for almost two decades, starting in 1967. The author of the project is the architect Husrev Tayla. Initially, a modern building was conceived, but already in the course of work, preference was given to the classical style. There are four minarets around the perimeter. The height of each is 88 meters. The total area of ​​the complex is over 4200 m². Inside, the walls and floor are finished with marble, and impressive crystal chandeliers stand out in the interior.

Mosque Hadji-Bayram

The oldest mosque in the city. It was built in the Seljuk style. There is no other exact data on the time of its construction. Presumably services began to be held here in 1428. It bears the name of a famous philosopher and poet. He stood at the origins of one of the Muslim movements. The followers of Haji Bayram helped the needy and were engaged in enlightenment in matters of religion. The mosque was built for the needs of this teaching.

Mosque of Aslankhane

It was built on the site of one of the Roman temples. In the design of the mosque, you can see details from the Byzantine decor. In addition, the load-bearing structures remained from past structures and also give out the continuity of styles. The surviving details of the interior indicate that in the past the mosque was richly decorated. Although there is not much left of this splendor, services are still held here.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Founded in 1921 by personal order of President Ataturk. The exposition occupies the buildings of the caravanserai and the covered market, erected in the 15th century. The main condition for exhibits to enter the museum collection is the attitude towards the peoples who inhabited the lands of Anatolia. There are objects from different periods, starting with the Paleolithic. During the tour you can get an accompanying English-speaking guide.

Rahmi M. Koch Museum

Second Polytechnic Museum of Turkey. The first one with the same name is located in Istanbul. In Ankara, the assembly was located in a caravanserai opposite the city fortress. The doors opened to visitors in 2005. 3 floors are given over to an extensive exhibition where you can see the first engine, agricultural machinery, old TVs, cars. There are also models of famous objects, including Hitler's yacht.

Museum of Fine Arts and Sculpture

It has been hosting visitors since 1997. The collection can be called timeless. Along with works related to the Roman and Ottoman empires, the halls of the museum exhibit works by contemporary artists and sculptors. Tourists have a chance to trace the changing trends and styles in the history of this area. The collection is temporarily replenished with traveling expositions. Nearby is the ethnographic museum.

Ethnographical museum

One of the most interesting museums not only in Ankara, but throughout Turkey. Opened in 1925, a little later the collection was moved to a new building. The museum includes part of the old Muslim cemetery. The exposition includes finds from different parts of the country. Particularly noteworthy are the exhibitions of carpets and ornaments. During the tour, tourists get acquainted with the customs and crafts, as well as the life of local residents.

CerModern

The Museum of Modern Art specializes mostly in temporary exhibitions. Paintings by world-famous artists, such as Dali, are brought here. You can also look at the unusual exposition of fabrics or the work of Turkish figures. There are closed workshops under the roof of CerModern, which are sometimes open to tourists. There are cafes and spacious venues for events on site.

Ulukanlar Prison Museum

The first such museum in Turkey. The real prison after the restoration turned into a tourist attraction. The attraction has been open to visitors since 2011. The building was built in the 20s of the last century, it became a prison a few years later. The correctional facility was liquidated after the riots. Ulukanlar during its existence has received notoriety due to torture and human rights violations.

AltInkoy Acik Hava Muzesi

An open-air museum was created to preserve cultural traditions. The picturesque area takes visitors back a hundred years. Houses, a mill were built on a spacious territory, fields and vegetable gardens were sown. There is even a typical village square for gatherings. The crafts presented here are on the verge of extinction. Animals can be seen in paddocks and pastures. There is a full-fledged museum that complements the overall picture.

Roman baths

Currently, the baths are an archaeological site. Found during excavations in the middle of the last century. They were erected in the III century and were dedicated to the god of healing. The baths consisted of a cold room with a dressing room, a swimming pool, a hot room, a steam room and a room with medium temperatures for relaxation. Although not many objects have survived, the outlines of the structure are clearly visible.

Turkish State Cemetery

The necropolis has existed since 1981. It was built specifically for the burial places of prominent political and military persons of the state. The first big ceremony took place in 1988, when the bodies of two Turkish presidents, Sunay Cevdet and Cemal Gürsel, were transferred here. Nearby are the graves of 61 commanders - participants in the War of Independence. The territory of the cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense.

Atakule Tower

It was built in the 80s of the XX century in the city center. The height is approximately 125 meters. The famous architect Rejib Iuluk was responsible for the design. The tower is crowned with a wide cap, similar to a dome. At the very top is an observation deck. A little lower is a restaurant. Its peculiarity is its location on a special platform. Thanks to this design, the restaurant makes a complete revolution around the axis of the tower in an hour.

Park Genchlik

The public park is located in the city center. The area of ​​the territory exceeds 27 hectares. In the past, these places were occupied by swamps. After they were drained, greenery began to be planted, but the park itself did not take shape immediately. Tourists were attracted by various methods, among other things, two mini-trains were launched. Now there are concert venues, areas for recreation and entertainment. Nearby are the opera house, stadium and sports complex.

Lake Eymir

It is located 20 km from Ankara. The area is just over 1 km². The depth varies depending on the season. Forms a single ecosystem with Lake Mogan. Eimir is fed by the neighbor's waters through a canal. Picnics are arranged on the coast. Around - a pine forest and thickets of wild almonds. When the weather is nice, cyclists and joggers can be found in the area. Swimming in the lake is not accepted.