Ankara Things to Do Tips by albaaust

Atatürk and War of Independence Museum.: This was an outstanding museum and well worth at least half a days visit. It is part of the mausoleum complex and honours Ataturk as well as tracing the defining events that lead to the foundation of the Turkish Republic. The objective of the museum when it was built was to “enlighten future generations about Atatürk and the epic story of the Turkish nationalist struggle for survival”. The entrance to the museum is to the left and on the lower level as you look out from the mausoleum. There are two parts to the museum. The first part is dedicated to the events that were the building blocks to independence and includes various sound and light dioramas showing the Gallipoli campaign and Wars against Greece. There are also portraits of Ataturk and other significant historical figures . The second part of the museum is dedicated to Ataturk and the role he played in converting Turkey into a modern secular state. There are numerous compartments dedicated to specific reforms that Ataturk initiated with appropriate photographs, documents, speeches etc. They all add up to building up an impressive portrayal of Ataturk. The last section is dedicated to gifts given to Turkey when it gained independence. Photography is not allowed.

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Directions: Right next to Ataturk's mausoleum

Anatolian Civilisation Museum
This was a wonderful museum that Tosun took us to. The building itself is actually an old restored covered market dating from the 15th Century. It houses a collection of artefacts tracing the history of Anatolia from the 6th century. The exhibits cover a number of ancient Anatolian civilisations including the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Assyrian, Hittite and Phrygian civilisations. The most impressive exhibits from our point of view were the Hittite reliefs with English explanations. (See photo) The museum justly deserves its 1997 Best European Museum award. There is a small coffee shop inside the museum. Open every day except Monday (8:45 - 5:15) 10YTL entry.

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Directions: We walked to it from Ulus Meydane where the large Ataturk equestrian statue is. Turn right onto Hisarparki Caddesi with the citadel ahead of you. Turn right again into Anafartalar Caddesi then left along Cikrikcilar Sokak.

Anýtkabir, is the mausoleum built for Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish republic. We caught a taxi to this complex. At the entrance there is a search of bags and a long walk to the paved walkway which then leads to the mausoleum. At the paved walkway there are two towers and two immense groups of statues. The female statue group in national garments represent “the proud, sedate, determined Turkish woman” in great sorrow. The wreath they carry represents Turkey’s productivity. The male statue group represent the soldiers, young people and intellectuals and the farmer in deep sorrow, and longing. The paved walkway (lion road) with 24 lion statues on both ends leads to the tomb and represents power and tranquility. The lion statues are done in Hittite style, because of Atatürk’s love of Turk and Anatolian history. There is 42-step stairway leading to the mausoleum. In the middle of the stairs is the “address pulpit”. One side of the marble pulpit is decorated with circular geometrical motifs, and Atatürk’s remark, “Sovereignty is without doubt, the Nation’s.” On the front is Atatürk’s address to the Turkish youth, which begins Turkish Youth! Your first duty is to forever preserve and defend the Turkish Independence and the Turkish Republic. The whole complex conveys a certain amount of grandeur atop the hill with views of Ankara and it stark, very white, huge columns. The guards in front of the mausoleum are also quite impressive. Try to time your arrival when the guards change. Free

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Website: http://www.ankaracityguide.com/Anitkabir.htm

Eski Ankara (Old Ankara) between the inner castle walls of the citadel is an area of old residential buildings. We walked up to this area from the museum. It has the feel of an ancient village with its narrow streets, crumbling walls and houses made of wood, mud brick and stone –it has a similar character to St Gimignano (Italy). There are numerous shops selling “antiques” and other Turkish handicrafts although I suspect more are open in summer. We had a wonderful meal in one of the restaurants that are part of this area.

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From the Citadel walk to your left and down through the narrow winding streets with various stalls selling dried vegetables, spices, copper beaters and other handicrafts crafts. Again, a glimpse of old Turkey.

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In front of the entrance to the Citadel (the door of the castle)are various stands exhibiting a selection of herbs, spices, nuts and kuruyemiº (dried fruits). Sample some!!

Samanpazari the haymarket at the Kale kapisi .

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Directions: Samanpazari the haymarket at the Kale kapisi .

The Kurdish market was also a wonderful place to explore in terms of the various foods people were selling including goats cheese, yoghurt, various meats, fruit and vegetables. A colourful, wonderful smells authentic experience.

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Directions: Eski Ankara Hali the old market.

This building was originally allocated to Ataturk upon his arrival in Ankara on December 27 Th, 1919 as a Supreme Military Command Headquarters. It was here that Ataturk made many important national and foreign decisions between 1920 and 1922 including the operational plans for the War of Independence , the treaty that was signed with France on October 21 st , 1921 and the decision for establishing the Turkish Parliament. If you are waiting for a train this is an ideal way to spend your time. The staff are very friendly and only too willing to show you the various rooms which contain various artefacts that Ataturk used when he used the building. Free

Check also http://www.turizm.gov.tr/EN/BelgeGoster.aspx?17A16AE30572D3137EE1F1486EE5030E4E2A0F32F984A249

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Website: http://www.tcdd.gov.tr/tcdding/konut_ing.htm