Heart of the Country
Long ago, in the 3rd century BC, the Galatians were the first to declare “Ancyra” of those times their capital. Much later on, in 1923, M. Kemal Ataturk chose the same district to be the capital of newly founded Turkey, and ‘Ankara’ thereafter began to be the strategic heart of the country.
Today’s modern city, situated at the core of Anatolia, hides an ancient site behind, dating back even to prehistorical times. The remains from Urartian, Phrygian, and Hittite periods have beautified the area, now fascinating the visitors by enlivening the respective periods.
For the ones who would like to go to the very beginning, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is the third important archeological museum after Paris-Louvre and London-British museums, is a perfect place to see, with its wide collection of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti and Hittite works of art. The pieces exhibited here, are unique in the world and it is exciting to see the life style of the earliest human beings through those beautiful objects.
Viewing the subsequent Phrygian period is possible, taking excursions to nearby locations, like Gordion (Yassıhöyük), the capital of the kingdom, not far from Polatli. Excavations have brought to light the advanced artistic works of this civilization which date back to the 10th century BC, and which had an important influence on artistic works of the successive ages.
Next comes the Lydian invasion which was followed by the Persian settlement continuing until the death of Alexander the Great, who stayed in Ankara after he gained the rule of Asia.
Ankara is a city steeped in history and culture.
After Galatians, Romans and Byzantines conquered the land, they erected plenty of monuments some of which reached today. The Temple of Augustus of AD 2nd century, built in the Corinthian style and dedicated to the Emperor is the most prominent among the Roman remains. It is a remarkable and important sight with the “Political Testament of Augustus” on its walls, inscribed in Greek and Latin. In the 5th century, this temple was converted into a church by the Byzantines and the high walls are still standing in their original solidity. The ruins of a Roman theatre and the Roman baths of AD 3rd-century, are other interesting figures together with the Column of Julian, a memorial from the 4th century.
Captured by the Arabs, Seljuks and Ottomans successively, Ankara also stores artistic examples of those periods, inside its borders, like the Alaeddin, Arslanhane, Kursunlu, Ahi Evran and Haci Bayram mosques, representing the interval between 12th and 15th centuries. Kocatepe Mosque is the most recently built one and it has a capacity of 20,000 people.
The principal monument, and the dominating sight in Ankara, is Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The building composed of limestone stands in majesty, with its beautiful architectural style and it is reached by a ceremonial road adorned with fine statues and reliefs. Nearby is a museum, housing some of the personal belongings of Atatürk. Atatürk’s House located at Cankaya, is also converted into a museum to be visited.
Ankara today, is a center of history, culture, and also nature. The Ethnographical Museum and Sculpture and Painting Museum are noteworthy for their wide collections of artifacts from the area. The city has good excursion opportunities to the historical and natural sites of Cappadocia, Gordion, Hattusas, and Alacahoyuk.