Ankara: Attractions

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For the hungry culture vulture, Ankara delivers a wealth of attractions, from its ancient and modern day monuments, and archeological web-sites, to its museums and mosques.

A single of the capital city’s most vital archeological web-sites and present day attractions, the Ankara Citadel, whose foundations were laid by the Galatians and then completed by the Romans, sits on a prominent lava outcrop. The Byzantines and Seljuks created further restorations and additions. A number of fine examples of standard architecture are observed close to and outside this attraction, the oldest aspect of Ankara. Recreational regions are offered for rest and relaxation. A lively cultural life exists as very well within the Citadel walls by way of a wide variety of restaurants serving local cuisine and providing music. Many of these restaurants were formerly standard Turkish houses, now restored as locations of entertainment.

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations contains what is left of the stage and backstage of the Roman Theater. Roman statues located within this ancient attraction now can be witnessed in the Museum. The seating location is presently under excavation.

The Temple of Augustus and Rome, identified as the Monumentum Ancyranum, 
was built in between 25 B.C. to 20 B.C. Following the death of Augustus I in 14 A.D., a copy of the text of Res Gestae Divi Augusti was inscribed on the interior of the pronaos in Latin, whereas a Greek translation can also be observed on an exterior wall of the cella. Enlarged by the Romans, then converted into a church by the Byzantines, this structure is situated in the Ulus quarter of the city.

Ankara’s Roman Bath is a single of the city’s most well-liked and often visited attractions. It bears all the characteristics of a classical Roman bath: a frigidarium (cold space), tepidarium (cool space) and caldarium (hot room). Built in honor of Asclepios, the God of Medicine, by Emperior Caracalla, the bath’s only remaining capabilities nowadays are the basement and 1st floors. This attraction is also situated in the Ulus quarter.

A few mosques in Ankara constitute a substantial attraction for the tourist interested in exploring the capital’s wealthy religious history. Numerous of these architectural attractions stand out:

The Alaaddin Mosque, with its carved walnut mimber (pulpit), bears an inscription that records the mosque’s setting up in the 12th century by the Seljuk ruler, Mesut.

Ahi Elvan Mosque was founded in the Ulus quarter the Ankara Citadel and was constructed in the course of the late 14th and 15th centuries. Especially notable is its walnut mimber.

Yeni (Cenab Ahmet) Mosque, the largest Ottoman mosque in Ankara, was constructed by the renowned architect Sinan in the 16th century. The mimber and mihrap (prayer niche) are of white marble, and the mosque itself is of Ankara stone (red porphyry).

For its size and prominent position in Ankara, Kocatepe Mosque is unquestionably the most notable of the city’s attractions. It was not too long ago constructed in the classical Ottoman style with four minarets. In addition, Kocatepe is the second largest mosque in Turkey. Constructed between 1967 and 1987 in the Kocatepe quarter, its compelling dimensions and location have earned Kocatepe Mosque the status as the capital’s landmark attraction.

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