Highlights of Ankara
I will list some attractions about what to do in Ankara in this post. Ankara is located in Central Anatolia and it is the capital of Turkey. The city hosted many civilizations through the centuries. It witnessed Hittites, Lydians, Romans, Greeks, Ottoman and so on. In Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum, you will witness the remnants from Roman, Urartu, Hittites civilazitons for example. Another historical structure is the temple of Augustus. Besides historical structures, there are also many parks in the city. There are a lot of things to do in Ankara, let’s start immediately.
Anıtkabir: The Mausoleum of Atatürk
Anıtkabir, The Mausoleum of Atatürk, is one of the first places comes to mind in Ankara. The founder of the Turkish Republic, Atatürk chose Ankara as a capital of Turkey in 1923. This memorial tomb is literally located in the city center and open for visitors. You can go there by Ankaray and take off at Anadolu/Tandoğan station. Then, you will walk almost 2 or 3 minutes. There are four main structures in Anıtkabir complex.
Firstly, Road of Lions will accompany you when you enter and walk to the mausoleum. Then, Ceremonial Plaza where you can see the guards shift at certain times. Thirdly, you will arrive Hall of Honor where Ataturk’s tomb is located. And, finally, you can see Peace Park. Having inspired one of the beautiful quote of Atatürk’s “ Peace at home, Pecae in the world” was the reason to build this park. There is a great variety of plants and trees in the park.
Ankara Castle
Even the date of the castle is a kind of mystery, it is assumed to be back to 8th century according to the some sources. The castle was rebuilt again and again during the reign of Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman. It is an open-air castle and has a panaromic view of the city.
Museum of Anatolian Civilization
Museum of Anatolian Civilization is located next to the Ankara Castle and one of the significant museums for the lovers of history. It was also selected as first Turkish Museum as European Museum of the Year in 1997 thanks to its huge collection and matchless characteristics.
Starting from Paleolithic, Neolithic, through Hittites, Phrygians, Urartu and late Hittites, a banquet of archeology welcomes you. There are incomparable artifacts from civilizations goes back to ancient times. You will witness old civilizations in Anatolia thorugh the diggings of excavations. It is one of the must-do activity in Ankara.
The Temple of Augustus
The first emperor of Rome, also the founder of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty, was Augustus. This temple was build as a dedication and celebration of Galata became a Roman province in the name of Roman Emperor Augustus. It was also known as Monumentum Ancryanum. In the temple you will see a copy of Res Gestae Divi Augusti, means the list of things accomplished of the divine Augustus. Ankara, Ancyra, was an administrative capital just like today in modern Turkey.
During the Augustus rulimg , Ancyra became a Roman province. Through ages, it is converted to a church. There is a Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque, literally, next to the temple. The mosque was built after the city was captured by Seljuk and Ottoman Empire. It is hard to find a structure reflects different empires, religions, so I highly advice you to see this museum.
Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum
The museum is surrounded by Museum of Anatolian Civilazations, Ankara Castle and Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum. It was established in 2015. Yüksel Erimtan who is a Pioneer of the institute and archaology lover endowed around 2000 pieces from his private collection. The whole artefacts are excavated in Anatolia.
You will have a great tour bewteen Roman, Urartu, Hittites civilazitons. These findings , such as Glass-ware, coins, jugs, ceramic Works, perfume bottles, mirrors, jewelery, dates go back from 3000 B.C. to today.The museum also has sections such as chamber room for classical music/jazz concerts and workshops.
Hamamönü
During my first staying in Ankara, I explored this place spotenously by walking. As soon as I found myself in this neighborhood, the atmosphere of the city changed. It is very authentic place with all this architecture preseved. Hamamönü took its name from a famous bath “Karacabey Hamamı”which was built in 15th century. There are also two other historical mosques and social complex named “Hacı Musa Cami” and “Tacettin Sultan Cami”.
All the mosques dates go back to Ottoman Era time. Not only mosques but also fountains, houses, mansions, shops reflects a typical Ottoman neighbourhood. There is also “Art Street”where you can see traditional handcrafts shops. There are also several tea and coffee shops inside the “art bazaar” . You can have a cuo pf Turkish coffee while you watch the traditional artists’ prformances somtimes.
