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Ankara Turkey – A Hub of Turkey with Charming Culture

Deliciously soft Mohair sweaters and fluffy Angora cats are only two of the things the capital city of Turkey, Ankara (historically known as Angora), is known for. It was also famous for Angora rabbits and their prized wool (Angora wool), pears, honey, and the region’s muscat grapes. While its bigger and more metropolitan brother, Istanbul, is usually what pops into your head when you hear of “Turkey.”

A panorama of Lozan Square in 1999. Photo by Hiper10, CC-SA-BY-3.0

However, in the past few decades Ankara has slowly entered the exciting world of tourism. It now boasts of a subtle and more sophisticated air for tourists who would like to take a breather, or completely stay away from Istanbul’s ubiquitous social scene.

The city

Turkey’s location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia makes it a country of significant geostrategic importance. Ankara, historically known with the names Ancyra and Angora, is the capital of Turkey since the Ottoman Empire’s fall in 1923. It is the country’s second largest city with Istanbul being the largest. The city has a mean elevation of 3,077 ft and had a population of 4,338,620 in 2011. Ankara is an important commercial and industrial city and is the center of the Turkish Government. The historical center of Ankara is situated upon a rocky hill 492 ft above the plain on the left bank of the Ankara Cayı, a tributary of the Sakarya (Sangarius) river.

Ankara is a very old city with various Hittite, Phrygian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman archaeological sites. The hill which overlooks the city is crowned by the ruins of the old castle, which adds to the picturesqueness of the view. However, only a few historic structures surrounding the old citadel have survived to the present day. There are, however, many well-preserved remains of Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine architecture, the most remarkable being the Temple of Augustus and Rome (20 BC) which is also known as the Monumentum Ancyranum.

Göksu Park. Photo by OscarKosy ÖzgürKöse, CC-SA-BY-3.0

Cafe Culture

With Ankara’s wide and open streets that simply beg to be strolled on, it is not surprising that the city has taken on a cafe culture and it is common to see both locals and tourists enjoying a cup of tea with a selection of fine Turkish sweets. In many of these cafes, patrons still sit down for a game of backgammon while others indulge in animated discussions about politics and the merits of football teams like the Genàlerbirligi S.K. and M.K.E. Ankarag¸c¸, both of which call Ankara their home city.

Later in the day, you may fancy a glass or two (or even more if you are brave!) of raki, an aniseed flavored hard liquor that Turkish people love to have as an aperitif. It is taken along with a mezze of meats, cheeses, olives and seafood. Reminiscent of absinthe because of its strong and bitter but aromatic taste, it is also mixed with water to create a milky-white drink that helps it go down easier.

Get Your Culture Geek On

Ankara is a haven for those who are seeking to get to know more about history. The city has a number of museums that will definitely feed the culture vulture in you. For starters, visit the Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atat¸rk, the founder of modern Turkey. It is located high above the city in a vast marble edifice worthy only of a man this powerful. Inside, you can feel a palpable sense of respect for a person who still has a huge hold on the Turkish people 74 years after his death.

If you want to have a taste of Turkey’s ancient past, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations could be the perfect choice. Going as far back as the Paleolithic era, you will not get a more comprehensive background of Turkey anywhere else. The fact that this museum is housed in a thoughtfully restored 15th century bedesten or covered market only adds to its cultural charm.

A panoramic view of Ankara in 2013. Photo by LoudHmen, CC-SA-BY-3.0

Getting Around Ankara

Forget the tempting lure of renting a car because traffic can be chaotic at peak times of the day. Instead, walk the wide, welcoming streets and get on the bus or tram where you get to meet more people. This is also an easier and more convenient way to get to where you want to go without dealing with the annoying traffic. Since more people take either the bus, minibus or dolmus network, it can be a fun and engaging experience but also a hectic one but it does save a lot on your travel budget.

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