Two thousand years before the time of Jesus, the Hittites become the dominant power of the region, and were then followed by the Phyrgians, Lydians and Persians. In the 3rd Century BC, a Celtic race known as the Galatians made Ankara their capital city. The name Ankara comes from the word 'Ancyra', which means 'anchor.'

Ankara gained prominence under the leadership of Ataturk during the national resistence which followed World War I. It was declared the capital of the new Turkish Republic on October 13th 1923 when the National War of Independence freed Turkey from foreign occupation.

Occupying one of the most prominent parts of the city is Anitkabir, the magnificent mausoleum constructed to commemorate Ataturk. This structure, which was completed in 1953, is a synthesis of antique and modern architectural themes, and proves the elegance and strength of Turkish architecture.

The oldest parts of the city surround the Castle. The Alaaddin Mosque found inside its walls is still one of the best examples of Selcuk art and wood craftsmanship, in spite of the fact that it was restored by the Ottomans.

The area has experienced a rejuvenation with the restoration of many interesting old Turkish houses, and the opening a several art galleries and fine restaurants which feature examples of traditional Turkish cuisine.

Near the gate of the castle is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is a beautifully restored portion of the old bazaar. It contains priceless artifacts belonging to the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras as well as the Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu and Roman civilizations.

Ankara has a vibrant cultural and artistic life with many select ballet, theatre, opera and folk dance performances. The city's Philharmonic Orchestra, which always plays to a packed house, is especially famous.

Ankara is surrounded by the provinces of Kirsehir and Kirikkale on the east, Eskisehir to the west, Cankiri to the north, Bolu to the northwest and Konya and Aksaray to the south.

The province of Ankara is an area covered with the plains that have been formed by the Kizilirmak and Sakarya rivers located in the northwestern part of Central Anatolia. This area is made up of both forests and arid plains.

Vegetation is limited to that normally found in the steppes, and trees are practically non-existent. Thorny plants are the most commonly seen but there are Russian olives, willows and poplar trees growing wherever there is water, and these trees are an important part of steppe vegetation.

The plateau surrounding Ankara is characterized by isolated mountains and as one moves north, with the increase in annual rainfall, the barrenness of the steppe starts to give way to more lush vegetation.

The climate varies within this larger province. While the southern part of the province has a climate characteristic of the steppe, in the north the temperate and rainy conditions of the Black Sea make themselves felt.

In this area where the hot summers and cold winters characteristic of a continental climate prevail, the hottest months are July-August and the coldest month is January.

Ankara Cuisine
The cuisine of Old Ankara displays much of the home-cooked food of the Turks, with the oven and tandoor, and cellars for winter supplies. There is a wide variety of dishes in Ankara:

Soups such as as dutmac, keskek, miyane, sutlu, tarhana and toyga. Meat dishes include Ankara tavasi, alabortme, calla, coban kavurmasi, iliskik, kapama, orman kebabi, patlicanli et, sizgic, siyel and siper.

To accompany, there is a wide variety of pilaf (rice dishes) such as bici, wheat pilaf, ogmac asi and pit pit pilaf. There are also stuffed dishes like efelek dolmasi, manti, sirden dolmasi (humbar) and yalanci dolma. The pastries of Turkey are delicious, and include alt-ust boregi, ay boregi, bohca, entekke boregi, hamman, kaha, kol boregi, papac, Pazar boregi, tandir boregi.

Ankara Shopping
Ankara's shopping centres are clustered around Ulus, Kizilay and Kavaklidere. One popular place for visitors is the Cikrikcilar Yokusu and its shops, near Ulus. Around the castle in Ulus, in the area of Cikrikcilar Yokusu and Samanpazari, there are shops which sell traditional handicrafts such as textiles, copper, ceramics, wickerwork and leather, as well as a variety of jewellery, decorations, gift items and all types of antiques.

In the Bakircilar Market, there is a wide selection of goods on offer like souvenirs, antiques and clothes as well as copperware and jewellery. At the end of the ascent to the castle is a small bazaar with stands selling spices, dried fruit and nuts and other products.

Most of the modern shopping centres are in Kizilay, Tunali Hilmi Street and at Atakule in Cankaya. The 125m Atakule dominates the city landscape and from the revolving restaurant there is a breathtaking view of Ankara. The most elite department stores in Turkey are in the Karum Mall in Kavaklidere, as well as top restaurants.

Transportation
By Road
It is possible to get to any point in Turkey from Ankara by bus, and even further afield with services to surrounding countries - even Moscow. The main bus station is 5km west of Kizilay, with over 100 bus companies operating from there. Many local buses go there, and most companies will have a service minibus operating to and from the city centre.

By Air
The International Esenboga Airport is 30km north of the city center. Transportation is provided by HAVAS shuttle buses, as well as taxis. There are flights to all the other cities in Turkey, with many each day to Istanbul.

Useful contacts
Turkish Airlines (THY) at Esenboga Airport: Tel - (0312) 398 0000
THY city offices: (0312) 419 1492; (0312) 428 0200
HAVAS Esenboga Airport, Tel: (0312) 398 0000 ext. 1649

By Train
There are direct rail services to the following destinations:

Istanbul, Izmir, Balikesir, Isparta and Burcdur, Zonguldak, Adana, Elazig and Diyarbakir. As with all reservations in Turkey, the fast trains get booked up quickly, as do sleepers, so booking ahead is strongly recommended

Useful contacts:
Information - (0312) 311 0620/23
Reservations - (0312) 311 4994 and 310 6515

Places to visit

Gordion
The capital city of the Phrygian empire, the remains of the renowned city of Gordion are near the Ankara-Eskisehir highway at the confluence of the Sakarya and Porsuk rivers, 21 km northwest of Polatli, and 90 km from Ankara, in the village of Yassihoyuk.

The history of Gordion goes back to 3000 BC (Early Bronze Age). It was an important settlement during the Assyrian and Hittite periods (1950 BC - 1180 BC) and, of course, the Phrygian era (900 BC - 620 BC), during which it was the capital city. It was named after King Gordios, the king who made it the capital. The famous knot made by King Gordios was cut in two by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, when he wintered in Gordion.

The period of Alexander the Great (300 BC -100 BC) began in Gordion with his conquest. Following that, the area came under the control of the Romans (1st century BC to 4th century AD) and then the Selcuks (11th - 13th century AD). All of this occurred in the short space of 4000 years.

Ahlatlibel Ahlatlibel is located 14 km southwest of Ankara on the old Taspinar Village - Gavurkale - Haymana road. This Early Bronze Age site was an important settlement in Anatolia.

Bitik
The Bitik Tumulus is 42 km northwest of Ankara. The excavations have uncovered, from top to bottom, dwellings belonging to the Classic Age of the 5th century BC and going back to the Late Bronze Age. The Phrygian and Hittite dwellings are less important than the others. The artifacts at Bitik from the Late Bronze Age document the interest in Eastern and Western Anatolia.

Etiyokusu
Located 5 km north of Ankara on the banks of Cubuk Creek, it was excavated in 1937 by Professor Sevket Aziz Kansu under the auspices of the Turkish History Association. At the lowest level, tools belonging to the Late Stone Age were recovered. The level above that was similar to the culture of the Early Bronze, and that of nearby Ahlatlibel. At the very top level the remains of a large palace belonging to the different periods were unearthed.

Gavurkale
60 km southwest of Ankara, this area from the bed of Babayakup Creek, which flows right beside the hill, has been the site of continuous settlement. The hill was given the name Gavurkale (Infidel Castle) because of the broken down walls.

Gavurkale has drawn the attention of many. On the southern exposure of the steep cliffs is a relief of two gods walking, one behind the other, and across from them sits a goddess. There is a wall made of gigantic stone blocks surrounding this rocky outcrop. The stone reliefs here is just one example of these uniquely Hittite monuments found scattered throughout the country.

Researchers have determined that this was an important walled city. At first it was thought to have been a Hittite worship centre, but later it was realised that the Phrygians settled here as well. The site was visited in 1930 by Ataturk himself. In the following years a number of surface investigations were conducted, and in 1998 new excavations were begun at Gavurkale by the Chair of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Karalar
Karalar is a village about 60 km northwest of Ankara, and is important because of the fact that it witnessed continuous settlement during the Classic Age. In the region known as Asarkaya, the architectural remains of a Celtic castle. Artifacts belonging to the Hellenistic Age have been found in the tumulus. Ancient coins discovered in the area indicate that there were commercial ties with Egypt and Syria.

The Temple of Augustus
Situated adjacent to the Haci Bayram Mosque in Ulus, the temple was built in the 2nd century BC in honour of the Phrygian Goddess Men. The remains of the temple we see today are those of the temple built in honour of the Roman Emperor Augustus as a sign of fidelity by the King Pylamenes, the son of the Celtic ruler Amintos. During Byzantine times windows and other additions were made and it was turned into a church.

The perimeter is made up on four walls lined with columns, and around it are the column holders: 15 down the length of each side, six along the width, four in front of the temple door and two in the back. The only standing part of the temple is the door with its ornately carved posts. A copy of Emperor Augustus's last will and testament, the original of which is found in the Temple in Rome, enumerates his accomplishments and is located on the temple wall adjacent to the tomb.

Julian's Column
This is located beside the pool between the financial directorate and the governor's building.. It is about 15m high, with a number of rings along its length, and has no inscriptions. It is said to have been set up in honour of Emperor Julian when he passed through Ankara (361-363 AD). It is known locally as the Belkis Minaret.

Roman Baths
Located on Cankiri Street between Ulus Square and Yildirim Bayazit Square, the baths sit on a platform about 2.5m above the street.

The baths date back to Caracalla (212-217 AD). The Cankiri Street entrance to the Caracalla baths leads to a wrestling arena, which was covered with a portico surrounded with columns. On one side of this courtyard are 32 columns with a total of 128 over the whole area. The actual baths are located immediately behind the wrestling arena. Besides the unusually large size of the structure, the baths have a very typical layout consisting of the Apoditerium (dressing area), the Frigidarium (cold-section), the Tepidarium (warm section) and the Caldarium (hot section)

Ankara Roman Theatre
Located between Hisar and Pinar streets, the theare was first discovered in 1982 and a salvage excavation began on March 15 1983 by the Museum Administration. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations continued the excavations until 1986. What was uncovered was the remains of a typical Roman theatre dating back to the 2nd century AD. In addition to a number of statues and statue pieces, all that remains are the foundations and walls of what was once a vaulted parados building, orchestra, amphitheatre and a stage.

Akkopru
This, the oldest bridge in Ankara, crosses the Ankara Creek in front of Varlik Mahallesi. The Selcuk ruler Alaaddin Keykubat I had it built in 1222 while Kizilbey was governor of Ankara.

Hoyuk (Tumulus)
Located with the boundaries of Turkhoyuk village, it consists mainly of marble columns and gravestones belonging to the Roman and Byzantine eras.

Kul Hoyuk is situated within the city limits of the town of Oyaca. It is reached by turning right about 50 km out on the Ankara-Haymana highway, towards the villages of Boyalik, Culuk, Calis and Durupinar. The tumulus is 1.5 km down this road on the right-hand side.

There are continuing excavations going on in this medium-sized tumulus, under the direction of the Museum of Anatolia Civilizations. The Hittite Cult Centre, 8 km to the west near Gavurkale, indicates that this was probably an important Hittite settlement.

Besides the hidden cistern, built in the traditional style of grand monumental Hittite, there are the remains of huge foundations which can most likely be dated back to the Early Bronze Age and the beginning of the Hittite Empire. In light of the ceramic, bronze and other archeological finds, it is known that the area was inhabited about 5000 years ago.

Karaoglan
Karaoglan is 25 km from Ankara along the road to Konya. The different strata in the tumulus have yielded remains from the following cultures: Chalcolithic, Early Bronze, Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine. This is one of the most important Hittite and Phrygian sites in the Ankara Golbasi region.

Bestepeler Tumulus was the first to be excavated, in 1926 by Makridi. In 1945, during construction in the area, it became necessary to remove several of the tumuluses. Two of them were investigated and a number of clay jars and other tools belonging to the Phrygians were recovered. Experts concluded that these were contemporaries of the Phrygian graves at Gordion. It was at this time that they realised that the Phrygians placed their dead in graves dug on level ground, and then built a structure over the site with logs. The whole thing was then covered with dirt from the surrounding area to make a small hill. The dead were always buried with a number of gifts.

Yumurtatepe (Demetevler) Tumulus is on the left hand side of the road at the Ciftlik - Demetevler intersection. It was excavated by the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations during the 1986 and 1987 excavation seasons, which identified the tumulus as belonging to the Early Bronze Age. It is a single structure, and a number of earthenware vessels were recovered.

Ankara Castle
The castle, which has guarded the city for centuries, is now a symbol of Ankara and its history is as old as the city itself. Although it is not exactly known when the castle was built, it is commonly believed to have been built by the Romans, then repaired and expanded by the Selcuks. It towers 110 meters above Bentdere Creek (Hatip Creek) which runs along its base.

There are two parts, an inner and an outer castle, with over 20 towers. The outer castle encloses the old city of Ankara within its heart-shaped walls. The four-level inner castle is made partly of Ankara stone and partly of stones gathered from other structures. The two large gates of the inner castle are called the Outer Gate and the Castle Gate. The towers within the castle vary between 14-16 metres in height. Today within the castle walls there are a number of Ottoman-style houses dating as far back as the 17th century.

Kalecik Castle
Kalecik Castle is 78 km from Ankara on the road to Cankiri, and is a strong landmark from the modern town as it was founded on a cone-shaped hill. It is connected to the mountains in the southwest by a ridge and sits high above the plain formed by the Kizilirmak (Red River).

Mosques, Tombs and other places of worship
Some of the city's most important mosques are: Agac Ayak, Ahi Elvan, Ahi Yakup, Aslanhane (Ahi Serafettin), Cenab-i Ahmet Pasa, Alaaddin, Cicekcioglu, Direkli, Eskicioglu, Hacettepe, Haci Arap, Haci Bayram, Ibadullah, Karacabey, Kocatepe, Kursunlu, Tabakhane, Tacettin and Zincirli.

Tombs: Ahi Serafettin, Azimi (Ismail Pasazade Haci Esad), Cenab-i Ahmet Pasa, Hacibayram Veli, Ismail Fazil Pasa, Karacabey, Karyagdi, Kesikbas, and Yoruk Dede (Dogan Bey).

Recreational Areas
Altinpark
The 640,000 square metre park is on Irfan Bastug Street in Aydinlikevler, and consists of a wide range of facilities which are all open to the public, including sports centres, cultural centres, restaurants, as well as gardens and lakes.

Tel: (0312) 317 9670/317 9696.
Fax: (0312) 317 6852

Atakule
Atakule has a great influence in Ankara's modern appearance. The 125-metre tower stands 118.2 metres above the ground, and the 600 sq. metre multi-purpose cocktail bar at the top of the tower is used for weddings, seminars and conferences.

The revolving restaurant (111.8m) makes one full revolution every hour. The lookout terrace at 104m is open everyday from 09.30 to 23:00, and there is a cafe/bar at 100m.

Tel: (0312) 440 7701
Fax: (0312) 440 7702

Ataturk Forest Park
Established by Ataturk, the park is one of the most important recreational areas in Ankara and contains teahouses, picnic areas, a zoo and produces a number of products. City buses, minibuses and community trains provide transportation.

Genclik Parky
Between the Train Station and Opera buildings, this is a popular entertainment centre in the summer, with an amusement park, tea-gardens, food shops, summer theatrical productions, a large pond with paddle boats and canoes, restaurants and a variety of amusements. All the facilities in the park are open between May and October.

Bayindir Dam
The Dam is on the Samsun Highway, 12 km from Ankara. With its natural beauty, teahouse, camping area and swimming pool, it is a recreational area popular with foreigners and locals alike. There are buses and minibuses that provide transportation.

The Cankaya Ridge
Located near the Presidential Mansion and the Ataturk Museum, the Ridge offers a picturesque view of the whole city. Even on summer days, park is relatively cool, with sweet shops and teahouses.

Cubuk Dam
The forested area around Cubuk Dam, 12km from Ankara, has picnic areas, small restaurants, teahouses and wonderful hiking trails. It is an excellent place to tour by car, and there are also city bus routes to the area as well.

Golbasi
Located 25 km southwest of Ankara on the Konya Highway, on the shores of Lake Mogan, it has restaurants and coffeehouses as well as a beach and teahouses. This recreational area makes the summer heat more tolerable, especially the swimming pool beside the lake, which is also an excellent place for canoeing. There is a good range of transport provided by city buses.

Other Recreational Areas include: MTA Rose Garden, Kurtbogazi Dam, Sariyar Dam, Beynam Recreational Forest, Camkoru Recreational Forest, Guven - Karagol Recreational Forest, Hosebe Recreational Forest, Karagol Recreational Forest , Sorgun Recreational Forest, Sogutozu Recreational Forest, Tekkedagi Recreational Forest and Uluhan Recreational Forest.

Accommodations in and around Ankara