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 Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is, despite its long history, a
thoroughly modern and well-planned city. The city is distinguished
by its wide avenues, green parks, elegant shops, embassies and
government buildings, and a large number of first-class restaurants
and hotels.
The city has been continuously inhabited since the
Bronze Age. The excellent Museum of Anatolian Civilizations details
the ebb and flow of cultures that have passed through the area,
from the Hittites, Phrygians, Lydians and Persians to the
Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans. Ankara
was a small provincial town until being appointed capital of the
new Republic in 1923, since which time it has developed quickly. It
is the only city in Turkey with an urban development plan dating
back to the 1930s.
In addition to the numerous historical
buildings, mosques and museums, visitors enjoy touring the citadel
and browsing through the old shops in Cikrikcilar Yokusu near the
Ulus area. On the street of Bakircilar Carsisi, you can find many
interesting old and new items: copper objects, jewellery, carpets,
costumes, antique reproductions and embroidery. In Cankaya, the
Atakule Tower, 125m high,
provides a magnificent view over the
whole city, together with top quality shopping
and restaurants. Ankara offers an attractive infrastructure for
international meetings and is an excellent starting point for
excursions to Cappadocia and day trips to other ancient sites.
Main Events:
April: International Arts and Music Festival
April 23: International Children's Festival
Major Sights in the City:
The Citadel, Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ethnography Museum,
Painting and Sculpture Museum, Temple of Augustus, Roman Baths,
Column of Julian, Anitkabir (Mausoleum of Ataturk), Copper Market.
Access:
Air: International Ankara Esenboga Airport, 25 km from the city
centre.
Road: Connections to all major cities.
Rail: Connections to Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Erzurum and Van.
CLIMATE
Today and next 3 days in Ankara:
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