PLACES TO VISIT IN ANKARA

Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country’s second largest city after Istanbul which offers many places to visit. The city has a mean elevation of 938 meters (3,077 ft.), centrally located in Anatolia and is an important commercial and industrial city.

It is the heart of a country which was reborn from its ashes with the Turkish War of Independence that followed a very long and disastrous period which had doomed the nation after World War I. Once peace was commenced, this city became the core of a spectacular movement; in the end of countless tiresome discussions and sleepless days at the Grand National Assembly, extremely important decisions and new contemporary laws were made to take the country to the level of modern countries. Meanwhile, people were inspired and moved by exciting fresh ideas and educational support to raise the newborn republic to a higher state of culture and development both socially and technologically.

Today, it is a modern city housing the Turkish Government, all foreign embassies and some number of esteemed universities. It is an important crossroads of trade, strategically located at the center of Turkey’s highway and railway networks and serves as the marketing center for the surrounding agricultural area.

Earliest history goes back to Bronze Age, to Hatti civilization, of which we still do not know much. Later on, it was under Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Persian, Macedonian, Galatian, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman rule. The remains of all these civilizations together with an immense collection from the prehistoric periods are displayed in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which was honored with European Museum of the Year in 1997. The neighboring castle is another famous attraction for the travelers giving great opportunity to take pictures of the recently renovated old neighborhoods and local kids as they accompany them with cheerful “hello”s.

The city is famous for its long-haired Angora Goat and its prized wool (mohair); a unique breed of cat Angora Cat; Angora rabbits and their quality wool (Angora wool), pears, honey and the region’s muscat grapes. Although situated in one of the driest places of Turkey and surrounded mostly by steppe vegetation except for the forested areas on the southern periphery; it can be considered to be a green city.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ANKARA

• The award winner magnificent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which will take you deep into the Paleolithic Age and gradually walk you to our times with impressive displays, the most important ones being from Neolithic Catalhoyuk site.
• The citadel which overlooks the city and embraces some old neighborhoods from late Ottoman Empire, a great site for enthusiasts of photography.
• The Ataturk Mausoleum is the eternal resting place of Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. It was finished in 1953 and Ataturk's casket was transferred here. The Mausoleum is adorned with statues, reliefs, and embellishments created by many of Turkey's artists. The Mausoleum is gracefully decorated with reliefs and also has a museum section where Ataturk's personal belongings are displayed.

Below is a list of best places to visit in Ankara for inspiration. For a better understanding, easy navigation and to get the most of this extraordinary region, we would highly recommend travelers to consider Private Tours in the area and surroundings.