Ankara... The Capital of Turkey also has a lot to offer...

The city of Ankara lies in the center of Anatolia on the eastern edge of the great high Anatolian Plateau, at an altitude of 850 m. The province is predominantly fertile wheat steppe land, with forested areas in the northeast.

Ankara first appears in historical records in 1200 B.C. when it was captured by Hittites and named Akuwash, and since that time, these cross-roads of anatolia have been host to many civilizations.

The capital of the Turkish Republic, is Turkey's second largest city and a thriving center of business, finance and administration. This modern city surrounded by lush gardens and vineyards boasts lovely classical ruins and an imposing hillside fortress over looking Ulus Square. Radiating out from the square are the city's broad boulevards that beckon you out for a stroll on starry evenings. Should Ankara not quench your thirst for the antique glories of Turkey, Ankara is the ideal home-base for an exploration of Cappadocia's "Fairy Chimneys", Konya's dervish shrines, or the brilliant white travertines of Pamukkale.

Points of Interest

Ataturk's Mausoleum
This monumental tribute to the founder of the Turkish republic is something every traveler to Ankara should visit. Its architecture combines Hittite and Seljuk elements using stone donated by every province of the republic.

Ethnographical Museum
The first museum built by Republic of Turkey. Among the rich collections of the museum are carpets, some metal works of art, wooden preaching stand and seats, traditional costumes, ornaments and Turkish handicrafts.

Anatolian Civilization Museum
One of the Turkey's best museums, this old hammam (Turkish Bath) of artifacts, many of which are more than 3000 years old, with which it retraces the history of pre-classical Anatolia. The collection is so rich that one should spend at least an afternoon when visiting.

Museum of Sculpture and Painting
A historical two-storey building. It has a theatre, conference hall and a concert hall. The best paintings and statues are exhibited in this museum.

Ankara Citadel
The foundations of the citadel were laid by the Galatians on a prominent lava outcrop, and completed by the Romans. The Byzantines and Seljuks made restorations and additions. Many restored traditional Turkish houses in the area of the citadel have found a new lease of life as restaurants.

State Opera and Ballet House
Built in 1934, best plays and operas are performed. The building has the characteristics of the Turkish architect.

Haci Bayram Mosque
This mosque, in Ulus, next to the Temple of Augustus, was built in the early 15th century in Seljuk style and was subsequently restored in the 16th century, with Kutahya tiles being added in the 18th century.

Gölbasi
25 km. south of Ankara on the Konya road, Golbasi lake, a popular place to visit for its fine scenery and lakeside restaurants.

Bogazköy
Hittite Capital, 180 km. The capital of the ancient Hittite civilization, only a three-hour drive from Ankara.

Gordion
Phrygian Capital, 70 km. Gordion is in Yassihöyük village. Phrygians founded a very important civilization here, and formed Gordions as the capital. The history dates back to B.C. 3000, and this city was an important settlement during the Assyrians and Hittite periods.

Cappadocia
300 km. One of the true marvels of the world, Cappadocia, a lunar landscape of fairy chimneys and devil's cones, is just four hours drive from Ankara. An early Christian settlement carved into soft volcanic turf, the rock churches, schools, and homes contain an almost perfect record of the vanished past, of particular interest are fresco series, which remain almost perfectly preserved in many of the churches. Near Cappadocia is the equally amazing Derin Kuyu, an early Christian village built more than 100 meters beneath the earth's surface.