Ankara has not so long ago received the status of the capital. And since then it began to actively develop not only in industrial terms, but also from a tourist point of view. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the multifaceted Ankara, the attractions of which attract many, will appeal to everyone.
Top 10 attractions in Ankara
You can come back to this city every year and find something new. The ancient streets of the historic part of the city will allow you to plunge into the medieval rhythm of Eastern life.
Atakule Tower
Agree, it is most interesting to look at the city from a great height, to appreciate the scope of construction and note the interesting places, which can be overlooked, looking at the tourist map. The communications and observation tower, 125 meters high, is the ideal structure for this purpose.
If you have the opportunity to visit the revolving restaurant “Seville”, in exactly one hour you will get a bird’s-eye view of the city in 360 degrees.
Kocatepe Mosque
The city is simply full of architectural sights. And you can hardly pass by the largest of them, the Kojatepe Mosque. Started in 67 last century, construction lasted 20 years. And now it is one of the most visited places for Muslims. The mosque can be visited by ordinary tourists and examine it not only outside but also inside. Being very close by, it’s hard to assume that the building is only 30 years old.
Aviation Museum
For those who want to diversify their visit to the restaurants and beaches, they can visit the Turkish Aviation Museum. The museum is divided into two main parts: open and closed. The open-air area houses examples of modern aviation, and indoors you can learn its history, starting in 1911, when Turkey first had airplanes. Few people know, but Turkey had its own manufacturers of air fleet, about which the presented models of technology in detail.
Hisar Fortress
If you get to the central part of the old city, you just can’t pass by the biggest attraction of Ankara – the medieval fortress Hisar. Construction began in the 6th century and served as a reliable defense against invaders. And the expansion in the 9th century, allowed the fortress to hold the defense for long sieges. Unfortunately, most of the fortress was destroyed, but even what has survived, causes respect for the builders.
Roman baths
Ankara survived Roman rule in its time. The Romans have always been famous for their passion for building, which can be found almost all along the Mediterranean coast. The majestic complex, built back in the 3rd century, was created in praise of Aesculapius, the god of healing. Time and people have treated this architectural heritage mercilessly, and only pieces of thick walls and the remnants of columns once supporting the floors of the bathhouse are left of it.
Hadji Bayram Mosque
You might want to take a look at the oldest mosque in the city. It was built on the remains of an old destroyed Byzantine church at the very beginning of the 15th century. On the walls of the Hadji Bayram Mosque can still be seen fragments of the will left by the Roman Emperor Augustus. The original doors of the mosque were removed and given to the Ethnographic Museum as a cultural treasure of the country. And in their place were installed skillful copies, no different from the original.
Hamamonu District
If you want to immerse yourself in the unhurried atmosphere of a medieval eastern city, then you need to go to the old city, and find there the district Hamamonu. The authorities of the city have taken care to turn it almost entirely into a pedestrian zone and tourists did not interfere with anything to explore the restored ancient streets of the city and enjoy a traditional drink in local cafes. It is worth at least once to try Turkish coffee while in this country.
Ataturk Mausoleum
He was the founder of Turkey as a state. It was Ataturk, at the beginning of the twentieth century, who revolted in Anatolia and named the region the Turkish Republic. After that he became the first president. Thanks to his innovative ideas and long-term reforms, Turkey has become a modern state with a pro-Western orientation. Turks have great respect for the merits of this political figure, and that is why Ankara is now considered the European benchmark of Turkey.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Another striking attraction in Ankara is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. This largest museum in the country boasts an excellent collection of historical artifacts. The museum begins the narrative of the history of the planet, beginning in the Neolithic and gradually progressing to the present. Byzantium, the Ottoman Empire, Roman times, and more – there are exhibits from all times.
Salman Street – “Copper Alley”
Tourists visiting Ankara should definitely visit the main street of the city – Salman, which means “copper alley” in Turkish. Here you can buy a memento of some handmade item – painted kitchen utensils or even a brightly colored carpet with intricate ornaments.
