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Visiting Ankara: historical monuments, museums, and archaeological sites

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, features evidence of twenty-five centuries of history. The Ankara Citadel overlooks the city from its hill at 978 meters above sea level, with 16-meter-high stone walls. The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations occupies a 15th-century Ottoman caravanserai and displays archaeological collections from the Paleolithic to the classical era. Atatürk’s mausoleum, built in 1953, exhibits personal items and documents of the founder of the Turkish Republic in its 3,000 m² museum. Roman remains include the Augusteum from the first century BC, decorated with Latin and Greek inscriptions, as well as the Roman Baths from the third century. Religious landmarks reflect different periods: the Hacı Bayram Mosque from 1427 retains its marble decorations and Ottoman calligraphy, while the Kocatepe Mosque, completed in 1987, can hold up to 24,000 people. The Ethnographic Museum displays costumes, carpets, and musical instruments from Turkish regions, completing a journey through the cultures and civilizations that shaped this Anatolian city.

Ankara Citadel
Ankara Citadel

Ankara, Turkey

The Ankara Citadel is a military fortification constructed on a hill at an altitude of 978 meters. This fortress features stone walls reaching 16 meters in height and defensive ramparts. The structure dominates the old town and represents multiple construction periods spanning from Byzantine to Ottoman times, serving as a testament to the city's strategic importance throughout history.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations

Ankara, Turkey

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations occupies a 15th-century Ottoman caravanserai and houses archaeological collections that display artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic period to classical antiquity.

Atatürk Mausoleum
Atatürk Mausoleum

Ankara, Turkey

The Atatürk Mausoleum was completed in 1953 and houses a museum of 3000 square meters that displays personal belongings, photographs, clothing and official documents of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The complex includes the monumental tomb structure, a ceremonial plaza and several exhibition halls documenting the life and work of the founding statesman.

Hacı Bayram Mosque
Hacı Bayram Mosque

Ankara, Turkey

The Hacı Bayram Mosque was built in 1427 in the Ottoman style and is located in the historical center of Ankara. The prayer hall features marble decorations and calligraphic inscriptions typical of religious architecture from this period. The building serves as an active place of worship and attracts both worshippers and visitors interested in Ottoman construction techniques.

Temple of Augustus
Temple of Augustus

Ankara, Turkey

The Temple of Augustus was constructed in the first century BC and preserves Latin and Greek inscriptions on its exterior walls. This Roman sanctuary documents the achievements of Emperor Augustus and serves as an important testimony to the ancient history of Ankara.

Kocatepe Mosque
Kocatepe Mosque

Ankara, Turkey

The Kocatepe Mosque is a religious building with four minarets, constructed between 1967 and 1987. The prayer hall can accommodate 24,000 worshippers and ranks among the largest mosques in the Turkish capital.

Roman Baths
Roman Baths

Ankara, Turkey

The Roman Baths are archaeological remains of a public bathing complex from the third century. These ruins display preserved foundations, several columns, and sections of the original walls, providing insight into Roman construction techniques and daily life in the ancient city.

Ulucanlar Prison Museum
Ulucanlar Prison Museum

Ankara, Turkey

This former state prison built in 1925 now displays restored cells, inmates' personal items, and historical documents.

Ethnographic Museum
Ethnographic Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Ethnographic Museum presents Turkish folk culture through its collections of traditional costumes from different regions of the country. The exhibition rooms display hand-knotted carpets, everyday craft objects, and musical instruments that document the cultural diversity of Turkish regions. The museum is housed in a historical building from the 1920s.

Column of Julian
Column of Julian

Ankara, Turkey

This limestone column rises 15 meters high and was erected to commemorate the visit of Roman Emperor Julian in 362. The monument bears Latin inscriptions that recall this historical event.

Postal Museum
Postal Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Postal Museum presents a collection of archives, stamps, and postal equipment that documents the development of Turkish postal services from the 19th century to the present day.

Museum of the Republic
Museum of the Republic

Ankara, Turkey

The Museum of the Republic occupies a building constructed in 1920 that served as the seat of Turkey's first Grand National Assembly until 1924. After the parliament relocated, the building was transformed into a museum dedicated to the Turkish War of Independence. The exhibitions document the political and military events of the founding period of the modern Turkish Republic through photographs, documents, and personal belongings of historical figures from that era.

Cermodern
Cermodern

Ankara, Turkey

Cermodern is a cultural center established in 2010 within renovated former railway buildings. The facility houses art galleries, a performance hall, and a café set within the historic industrial spaces.

Atatürk Museum
Atatürk Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Atatürk Museum occupies the former residence where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, lived from 1921 to 1932. The building displays original furniture, personal belongings and documents from this formative period of Turkish history. The rooms remain as they were furnished during Atatürk's lifetime.

Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Rahmi M. Koç Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Rahmi M. Koç Museum occupies the 16th-century Çengelhan caravanserai and houses an extensive collection documenting the history of transport, industry, and communications technology. The historic architecture of the building provides a distinctive setting for the exhibited objects, which range from vehicles and machinery to technical equipment.

Aqua Vega Aquarium
Aqua Vega Aquarium

Ankara, Turkey

The Aqua Vega Aquarium spans four floors and houses 32 tanks displaying more than 120 species of freshwater and marine fish. The facility includes a 20-meter underwater tunnel that allows visitors to observe aquatic life from an immersive perspective.

Hamamönü District
Hamamönü District

Ankara, Turkey

The Hamamönü District features restored Ottoman houses from the 19th century. Cobblestone streets lead to artisan workshops, antique shops and tea houses. Several renovated buildings showcase traditional Ottoman architecture with wooden facades and typical courtyards.

Gençlik Park
Gençlik Park

Ankara, Turkey

Gençlik Park covers an area of 28 hectares in central Ankara and provides facilities for leisure and recreation. The park features multiple playgrounds for children, sports installations, designated cycling paths, and equipped picnic areas. During summer months, this park regularly hosts cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions that attract residents and visitors to the Turkish capital.

MTA Natural History Museum
MTA Natural History Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The MTA Natural History Museum was established in 1935 as a scientific institute and presents minerals, rocks, fossils, and gemstones from Turkey and other countries. This museum features permanent exhibitions dedicated to geology, providing visitors with insights into Earth's historical development and mineralogical diversity.

Altınköy Open Air Museum
Altınköy Open Air Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Altınköy Open Air Museum presents Anatolian rural architecture through a reconstructed village. The site includes traditional houses from different regions, a working mill, a village mosque, and several craft workshops. This museum allows visitors to understand the historical lifestyles and building techniques of Anatolian village communities.

Erimtan Museum
Erimtan Museum

Ankara, Turkey

The Erimtan Museum houses a collection of 2000 archaeological objects from antiquity. The exhibition spans three restored Ottoman buildings in the historic castle district of Ankara. The museum displays artifacts from various periods of Anatolian history, including Hellenistic and Roman sculptures, coins, ceramics, and jewelry. The renovated 19th-century houses provide an authentic setting for the displayed collections.

Eymir Lake
Eymir Lake

Ankara, Turkey

Eymir Lake is a natural water reserve that covers an area of 14 square kilometers. This lake provides Ankara residents with developed cycling paths along its shores and various fishing spots. The surroundings of the lake serve as a recreational area for outdoor activities and are regularly visited by families and sports enthusiasts.

Kızılay Square
Kızılay Square

Ankara, Turkey

Kızılay Square serves as the commercial and administrative center of Ankara. This junction connects several metro lines and is surrounded by numerous shops, restaurants, banks, and government offices. The square functions as a primary meeting point for residents and visitors, located in the heart of the modern Çankaya district.

Dikmen Valley Park
Dikmen Valley Park

Ankara, Turkey

Dikmen Valley Park covers 40 hectares and features hiking trails, playgrounds, and cafés distributed along the valley. This green space serves as a recreational area for residents and visitors of the Turkish capital.

Ankara School of Theology
Ankara School of Theology

Ankara, Turkey

The Ankara School of Theology is a center for religious education established during the Seljuk rule. The building displays architectural features of 14th-century Islamic art and served for the training of theologians and scholars.

Grand National Assembly
Grand National Assembly

Ankara, Turkey

The Grand National Assembly serves as the seat of the Turkish parliament and was constructed between 1937 and 1938 following the designs of Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister. This building merges modern design principles with classical architectural elements, reflecting the political and structural ambitions of the early Turkish Republic.

Atakule Tower
Atakule Tower

Ankara, Turkey

The Atakule Tower rises 125 meters above Ankara and was completed in 1989. This concrete and steel construction features an observation deck at 92 meters height and a revolving restaurant that completes a full rotation in approximately one hour. The tower provides views over the Turkish capital and its surroundings. The building also houses a shopping center on the lower floors.

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AroundUs is a community-driven map of interesting places, built by curious explorers like you. It grows with every review, story, and photo you share.
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