The city of Ankara was given the name. Which city is the capital of Turkey: Istanbul or Ankara? Security

America

I have often come across a common misconception that the capital of Turkey is "great and almighty". Often people are even surprised when they figure out the correct answer. However, it is from Ankara that the Republic originates: the first president and the unique pope of the Turks, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, performed all administrative affairs for the creation of the state here, therefore Ankara is still the political, economic and scientific center of the country. This, by the way, explained the good impression that the locals made on me: serious, educated, decent, interesting people, not spoiled by life in resort towns. With all this, they are kind, honest and always ready to help.

It would seem that there are too many flattering epithets, but I could give at least ten more compliments, the nature of this people is so contrary to common stereotypes. For a long time living in the Turkish capital, I have not had to deal with disrespect and rudeness from the Turks, about which our compatriots only make up legends upon arrival from a week-long vacation in Antalya.

I moved to Ankara with three classmates, and we immediately agreed, on pain of death, not to be separated and not even go out alone. However, all these prejudices turned out to be completely unfounded, and in just a few weeks each of us felt cozy and comfortable in this metropolis, even wandering the streets at night in absolute solitude.

How to get there

It is most convenient to travel to Ankara by air, although air travel, I tell you, is more convenient even within the country. From other cities in Turkey, the capital can also be reached by train, bus, or by car.

By plane

Direct international flights to Ankara are quite expensive. Basically everything airways lead to, and there we change to an internal transfer, and in an hour you are at Ankara Esenboğa airport.

If after you are going to visit mediterranean coast or any other city in Turkey, then in order to save a lot of time and effort, I advise (but not strongly) to use the services of airlines, because often the cost of air tickets does not differ much (and sometimes even less) from the cost of traveling by train or bus, in which you will have to shake not even a few hours.

Prices for flights within the country are quite pleasant ($15-30) and the schedule is flexible (several flights a day to all major cities), in contrast to international flights - relatively infrequent and expensive (such flights are best made from Istanbul).

It is convenient to keep track of prices for air travel to Ankara on search engine sites, for example,.

You can get from the city to the capital's airport by a special Belko bus, which leaves every half hour from the central bus (A.Ş.T.I.) and railway stations. To the city from the airport, respectively, on the same bus with arrival at the same destinations. The cost is 3.3 $ (10 lira).

By train

The railway is far from the most popular way to travel around the country, and it will be tiring to travel from Russia by train.

I never even had a chance to use her services during my stay in Ankara, because I simply did not find it expedient and financially profitable. According to friends, the trains are fast and comfortable, there is a connection with all the main settlements of the republic, but the cost of the trip is close to the cost of the flight, and sometimes even exceeds it - $ 24 (70 lire).
Train Station The capital is located in the central district of Ulus, not far from the metro station of the same name.

By bus

In Turkey, you will find a huge number of bus operators. One of the best is considered to be Anadolu, Pamukkale and Metro. I can’t single out a specific average ticket price, as it varies too much. Departure and arrival from / to the bus station A.Ş.T.I. (You can get to the station of the same name via the Ankaray underground line).

By car

The most expensive option of transportation, although the most picturesque (and in Turkey there are definitely some wonders of nature to see along the way, slow down somewhere, and somewhere even stop at the observation deck). Neat high-speed roads lead to Ankara from all major settlements.

There are several toll highways, the most popular of which is Ankara - Istanbul. Payment is made by scanning an electronic chip at special crossings (an HGS sticker with a chip must be purchased at any post office or special offices at the entrance / exit of the motorway, the minimum cost is 10 $ (30 lire)).

By ferry

Since Ankara has no communication with the sea coast, getting by ferry is not relevant: the ports (as, in fact, the beaches) of the Mediterranean Sea are five hundred kilometers south of the capital, and the Black Sea is three hundred kilometers to the north.

Clue:

Ankara - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Yekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go

At no time of the year will you encounter an invasion of tourists in the city. Ankara is primarily the administrative center of the country, which means that it is far from a bait for hunters for spectacular corners of the world. And yet it is obvious that in the warm months it is more pleasant and comfortable to look around in a new place. And the warm months are May, June, September, early October, when there is an abundance of fruits and the air temperature is right (from +23 to +30 ° C). But in July and August, the weather is perhaps comparable to the heat of the underworld. It should also be taken into account that you cannot run to the sea to cool off in this region of Turkey.

It is worth noting that prices in the capital do not depend on the season / off-season, because, as already noted, the city is never filled with tourists.

Ankara in summer

Capital summers are usually wildly hot. If even at night the temperature is around a tolerable +26 ° C, then during the day it is stable + 30–35 ° C, which is simply unbearable in a metropolis.

The locals are trying to massively dump to the sea, given that they don’t swim in local reservoirs and it’s possible to cool down only somewhere under the air conditioner ... or in the fountain :).

Ankara in autumn

Ankara in September is still summer heat during the day (+27-30 °C) and pleasant coolness at night (+20-23 °C). The weather insists on visiting the Turkish capital this month.

By mid-October, the weather conditions begin to noticeably deteriorate and the rainy season begins, which lasts almost until mid-spring. The thermometer in the last two months of autumn will show about +18 ° C during the day and +5 ° C at night.

Ankara in spring

My advice is to go in May. In addition to the most pleasant weather conditions (+20-25 °C during the day, +13-17 °C at night), visiting Mayfest student festivals organized by all local universities will be something special. During the day it is a fair, sports competitions, games, and in the evening - a large open air with concerts, DJ performances, various shows.

Since the festival of each university is unique and lasts throughout the first week of May, it will be extremely exciting to hang out on different days at different campuses. In fact, Mayfest is a gift from the university to students (which is so lacking in the domestic education system), and as a rule, they don’t charge for gifts;).

Ankara in winter

In winter, Ankara is rainy and cloudy. Three times during the season you can get under the snowfall. During the day, the temperature does not rise above +10 ° C, but it does not fall below zero either, but at night get ready to freeze your noses, as the thermometer is likely to show -5-7 ° C.

In a word, in winter I would not visit the capital in an autumn coat and sneakers under the pretext: “Just think, not the seashore! It’s always warm, what can the weather throw out there?

Ankara - monthly weather

Clue:

Ankara - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

On the map above, I marked three central districts of the capital:

District Ulus highlighted in red as I don't recommend staying here. This is the historical part of the city, which, of course, you must not just visit, but hang out here for the whole day. But the district itself is noisy, constantly crowded with people, and, most importantly, populated by street (sometimes annoying) hucksters. There are drug addicts and scammers. In general, Ulus is the center of a far from bohemian crowd, I personally do not find this place comfortable for living.
KIzIlay- something like my recommendation. The very heart of Ankara, the point of intersection of the main metro lines and most bus routes. Here you will find absurdly cheap catering outlets, and restaurants, and a shopping center, and cinemas (by the way, for those who are knowledgeable in English: the voice acting in the movie is original, Turkish only subtitles). The area, in principle, is safe, but there is not much to hide from the crowds and noise.
And here is the area highlighted in green - giving good - color TunalI is my immediate recommendation. Safe, cozy, but at the same time lively and vibrant area. The third tourist heart of Ankara. Tunalı Avenue and nearby streets will delight you with a huge selection of cafes, restaurants, eateries, coffee shops, and in the evening - the best bars in the city. Near the Tunalı district, by the way, is the Russian Embassy: Karyağdı sokak, 5.

On the next map, one of the specific, poor areas (in this case, the central one) is highlighted, where it is dangerous to look even "in the afternoon with fire" - Gecekondu (Gedzhekondu).

The name itself means "built overnight". Indeed, once the buildings in these areas were built by beggars from improvised means and materials in just one night in order to find at least some kind of shelter. By law, such buildings could not be demolished. Over time, residents completed their barracks, which to this day remain on the capital's hills. The places are extremely dangerous, with the highest level of poverty, criminal activity, prostitution and drug addiction in the city. Most often they are located on hilly terrain and stand apart from the surrounding areas, so luckily you won’t wander there by chance, but still keep your eyes peeled.

What are the prices for holidays

I personally, having just moved to Ankara, was quite surprised by the rather high prices for food, entertainment and travel to public transport. I confess, I always thought that - cheap paradise, but in reality I often had to tighten my belts and walk a lot. But in the capital, prices are far from tourist prices, this is not a resort town and not limitless.

The cost of a bed in common room hostel starts from $20, and for a double room in a three-star hotel you will have to pay from $55 per day.

You can book a hotel at Booking - by, you can compare prices from different sites.

Some prefer to rent a private apartment or apartments, more about prices.

Alcohol prices are especially high due to the anti-alcohol policy of the state.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Turkish lira, TL

Main attractions. What to watch

The Turkish capital - an ancient Anatolian city with a rich history - is full of museums and objects cultural heritage, however, I personally am not really a fan of them, so I regard Ankara primarily as a metropolis with a set of relevant attractions: busy areas and streets, a TV tower, parks, shopping centers, university campuses and stuff like that.

It can also be unusual, interesting and to some extent satisfying curiosity, if you are in a Muslim country for the first time, a visit to one of the many mosques. Visitors of any faith just need to take off their shoes, and girls cover their legs, shoulders and head, and welcome! My advice for such a thing is to go straight to the largest mosque in the capital, Kocatepe Camii in the center on Kızılay.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

There are plenty of museums in the capital, and if you're a history hunter or your trip isn't limited to Ankara, it might be worth buying a yearly museum card (the only option) for $17 (50 lire) at the entrance to any museum.

parks

As for small parks and squares, they are scattered absolutely everywhere in the capital.

I was lucky enough to spend a couple of the most romantic evenings in a huge park around Lake Eymir, located on the territory of the largest METU university campus in Turkey. It is perfect for cycling and moments of true peace by the pond or for dinner in one of the restaurants located along the coastline.

Also, Ankara's Gençlik amusement park is one of the most beautiful places in the capital. In addition to bright, optimistic views and a variety of breathtaking attractions, you can also get to the performance of singing fountains.

Near the Botanical Garden of Ankara is the famous Atakule TV Tower, from the terrace on top of which a breathtaking panorama of the entire city opens up. I remember that I was only embarrassed by the considerable windiness up there, therefore, when visiting, I do not advise the ladies to wear light short dresses :).

The ticket price is $2.5 (7.5 lira). Head straight to the top floor of the 125-meter tower for a wonderful evening in a restaurant that moves in a circle at a speed of 360 degrees per hour.

What to see in 1 day

We arrive at 9-10 am at the Tandoğan metro station and walk to the shrine of saints - the huge and admiring Anıtkabir mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal. It will take more than one hour to climb all its corners.
At 12-13 pm we take a direct minibus or subway with one transfer to the historical center of the city of Ulus. We walk through cultural and historical places and atmospheric old streets, look at the old government buildings, at the first bank in Turkey. We rise to the Ankara fortress. We look into one of the museums.
Then we walk to Kızılay along Ataturk Boulevard. You can also take one of the many buses, the districts are literally 1.5 km from each other. Here we have lunch in one of the establishments on the neighboring streets from the boulevard. As an option, I will offer a bite to eat with a wet burger at the Bonelli cafe opposite the Güvenpark central park. Yes, a wet burger, that's what it's called. I didn’t imagine either, I thought it was just a culinary metaphor, but I tried it, and I really couldn’t describe this burger in any other way than “wet” :).
Next, at the stop at Güvenpark, we jump into the bus and rush to the Atakule TV tower. We go upstairs and drink a cocktail or eat dessert in a revolving cafe.
After the TV tower, our path lies on Tunalı. You can walk two kilometers to Kuğulu Park with beautiful swans, from which Tunalı Avenue starts, or you can take a bus.

Here we stroll along the busy streets of the metropolis and sit comfortably in one of the bars on Bestekar street. At the end of the evening, we go out and have dinner with mussels, which will be discussed a little later, right on the street.
If you want to have fun continuing a noisy evening, then go on foot or by taxi to the Passage club on Kızılay (Bayındır Sokak, 7), where you will definitely not be bored for the rest of the night.

Food. What to try

Turkish cuisine is so rich and original that you will not be able to try all its masterpieces (more than a hundred varieties of kebabs alone) in one vacation, believe me. Personally, I spent about two years of my life in Turkish culture to accomplish this “feat”.

General information about specifics national cuisine you can read in the overview article section about Turkey. However, on my own behalf, I would like to add something that is not extremely seductive in appearance, but mandatory for tasting.

I consider it an honor to briefly tell you about the fabulous mussels with rice and spices under freshly squeezed lemon juice, which are sold by “dumb” men on the night streets in the city center (and not only in Ankara).

For quite a long time, my compatriot friends and I avoided these racks knocked together in five minutes with a mountain of unattractive, as if dirty, mussels. And only towards the end of our stay in Turkey, one local comrade forced us to try them with his example. That's when we realized what we had avoided all the previous six months! From now on, trying to catch up, each time we hung at the racks for so long that the mussels eaten numbered several dozen! My personal record was 50 pieces.

A wide range of food prices in public places is a feature of any Turkish city in general. Ankara is teeming with cheap and fast "kebabs" ($1.5-2.5 for a doner with ayran - a full meal, count). If you are not interested in penny eateries (well, since you are on a trip!), there are many decent ($6-10 for lunch) and very decent ($15-20) places with a variety of menus.

Budget

Öz Gaziantep.
Adıyamanlı Çiğ Köfteci.
Hosta Piknik.

Intermediate level

HD İskender (Highly recommend trying Iskender - the best type of kebab in my opinion!).
Boğaziçi Lokantası.
Devrez.
The Bigos.
Şençam Köftecisif.
Professor Kokoreç.

Expensive

GunaydIn Steakhouse.
Yelken Balık Seyfi (fish restaurant).
Louise.
SushiCo (be careful, you can’t find cheap sushi in Turkey a priori, prices bite in any Japanese restaurant - $ 9-11 for 5-8 rolls).

Holidays

During the two main public holidays - Eid al-Adha (autumn) and Ramadan (summer) - the capital dies out, since each of them is a week of official holidays. You can’t see celebrations on the streets of the city, although Muslim believers in the family circle celebrate them in a rather specific way. On Bayram, a lamb or a sheep is sacrificed, and on Ramadan they eat only after sunset and before dawn, and even drinking is forbidden during the day. In a word, torture in the name of faith, given that it is the middle of a hellishly hot summer. Therefore, do not be alarmed when you are in the city during Ramadan and hear a cannon shot at the end of the day. This is not shooting in the area, but a notification to all citizens that the sun has set and you can start the prepared feast, without denying yourself anything until dawn.

Well, the victory of one of the main Turkish football clubs (Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray or Beşiktaş) in some important match is another holiday in the city. There was a case, I caught the passage of the Galatasaray team to the 1/4 of the UEFA Champions League (a rare occurrence). The city was buzzing almost all night! Fans in the form of Galatasaray took to the streets in droves, and not only the central ones. Cars rushed along the roads, people leaning out of their windows, waving huge team flags. Car horns throughout the city kept even the most jealous Fenerbahce and Besiktas fans huddled in a corner with envy. Local celebrations of the victory of the beloved FC will light up any city holidays.

By the way, the Turks claim that Besiktas fans are the most crazy :).

Security. What to watch out for

As I have already noted, at first my friends and I were wildly frightened by the very thought of living in Ankara. But everything “collapsed” quite quickly and the city seemed safe and friendly to us, and the residents were polite and honest. Walking a girl alone through the streets, even late at night, is not more dangerous than in any other city: there is certainly a chance to run into, but rather somewhere in a dark corner of some disadvantaged area. Perhaps you should not walk at night in the Ulus area (it’s better to wander along Tunalı), and in no case should you look into the poor Gecekondu districts scattered on the hills.

As for the scammers, then, fortunately, life has not led to face any for the long months spent in the Turkish capital.

Things to do

Shopping and shops

Shopping lovers will find dozens of malls in Ankara with all the famous brand stores. It is also worth paying attention to several local Turkish brands, as they are not only not inferior to world-famous retailers, but in many ways even surpass them. Local brands are just a godsend, because they have an ideal price / quality / style ratio (in the sense, both of them, and the third - just on top!). My favorite Turkish brands include: LC Waikiki, DeFacto, Koton, Colin's, Boyner.

Kızılay (specifically in the very center of the city),
Ankamall (huge and conveniently located near the Akköprü metro station),
Kentpark and Cepa (located next door, which expands shopping opportunities "in one stop", but the location is inconvenient, you can only get there by car or by bus from Kızılay).

If you are going to Ankara for penny clothes from the famous Turkish bazaars, then you are in the wrong place in the capital. There are cheap shops in underground passages, especially in the center on Kızılay, as well as shops in the commercial and historical part of Ulus, but the price is not always so cheap, and the choice is small. And if, moreover, you are also a person of style and trends, then it will be very difficult to find a worthwhile little thing at such outlets.

Bars. Where to go

All worthy bars and clubs are concentrated in two central regions capitals: Kızılay and Tunalı.

As for the bars, you can often listen to live music (mainly Turkish), drink relatively inexpensive beer ($ 2-3) and order noticeably expensive cocktails and other alcoholic drinks(5–15 $). The title of the metropolitan bar street rightfully belongs to Bestekar sokak in the Tunalı district.

I personally would divide all Turkish bars into two categories: those where you can only sit comfortably in the company with a glass of beer, and those where there is loud music and, in addition to drinking at a table, you can also dance.

Bomonti,
corvuz pub,
flat.

The second, my, in principle, most favorite category of evening establishments aka "semi-bar-semi-club" includes:

Tektekci,
telwe,
Puhu (a crazy pub with a "forever young, forever drunk" contingent of visitors :),
and my favorite in all of Ankara is Rudis bar.

The latter is a student residence. The main parties of exchange students are also held here. On the ground floor there are tables for companies, and on the basement there is a dance floor with a stage.
Basically, bars in Ankara are open until 1-2 am.

Clubs and nightlife

As already noted, the nightlife in Ankara is run by the Kızılay and Tunalı districts.
The entrance fee to the club is basically 3.3$ (10 lire). A small bottle of beer will cost you the same price. There is no face control and dress code as such, my friends and I personally stormed the capital's clubs in sneakers.

In addition to weekends, “relaxation in the middle of the week” is popular with local youth - crazy parties on Wednesdays are quite on the level of Fridays. In the Tunalı district, the club IF Performance Hall rules the show, where you can often get to a night of live music.

If you are a fan of hip-hop like me and don't mind walking from Tunalı to the interior of the districts, then on Wednesdays the Overall club is ready to pump you thoroughly. Perhaps it was in it that the craziest nights of my life in Ankara took place.

In the Kızılay area, the alternative club is Eski Yeni. Why just alternative? Because the nail nightlife this area and the whole of Ankara as a whole is the legendary club Passage. Almost every day of the week, throughout the night and until closing at 5 am, it is filled to the brim with people. The music here sounds mostly pop, a couple of hours of the party is given to the live performance of various groups.

Having once visited Passage, almost all our nights with my friends ended up in this club from now on. In whatever bar we started our evening, the roads in most cases still led here. But there are some nuances: if you are a guy, you will not be allowed into the Passage without a girl (the policy of maintaining gender balance among visitors). And if you are a group of single girls, then be prepared for the requests of single guys hanging out at the club to come in with you. By the way, these are mostly ordinary, decent guys who were just unlucky to be in the company of girls this evening, so evaluate the level of their adequacy and modesty and, if everything suits you, feel free to agree to help the poor fellows: after passing the security, being inside and thanking, they are here but they will get rid of you and get lost in the crowd.

And if you are a fan of eating in the morning after a party, then on Kızılay you will find many round-the-clock kebabs. Also, after the club, the previously praised mussels come in like relatives. The sellers know this, so it is at night that you will find those very unattractive stands everywhere (during the day, look for mussels in a cafe).

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

You can read about traditional souvenirs and gifts in the overview article on the country. Personally, I bought my loved ones rightfully vaunted Turkish sweets.

A particularly outstanding treat as a gift, in my opinion, is the so-called Pişmaniye - balls of sweet, airy thread.

How to move around the city

Having settled in Ankara, I almost immediately got used to using the two main types of public transport - buses and metro. The price of a single ticket is $1.35 (4 liras). The fare for the Ankara Smart Card (purchase for 1.75 $ (5 lira) and then replenish) is 0.75 $ (2.35 lira) full and 0.6 $ (1.75 lira) for students. The subsequent change of transport (including land transport and vice versa) within an hour or a slightly longer time interval will cost 0.27 $ (0.80 lira) without benefits and 0.07 $ (0.20 lira) for students.

I rarely resorted to the services of “dolmuş” minibuses, since their route was never clear to me and there was always a language barrier with the driver, who somehow needed to find out where the minibus was rushing and where would it be for me log off.

Sometimes I had to use the services of a metropolitan taxi, mostly, of course, at night. Fortunately, there are a lot of them in Ankara, I didn’t have to wait and I arrived comfortably.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi fares do not differ depending on calling a car or “intercepting” right on the street, so feel free to get into the first cab you see, you won’t be charged exorbitant prices, but they will turn on the meter built into the rear-view mirror as standard. Landing will cost 1 $ (3 lira), and then 0.8 $ (2.5 lira) per kilometer.

Underground

I have already mentioned the immense size of the city, but with all this, in Ankara, until recently, there were only two underground metro lines. Just over the past couple of years, two more have been launched.

One of the four lines is called Ankaray, and the other three, in fact, Metro, however, they all have the same essence. Hours of operation are from 6 am to midnight. And as for me, at any time of the day, traveling in the Ankara metro is absolutely safe.

Buses

The rest of public transportation is carried out by buses and minibuses "dolmuş". The prices are the same as in the subway, the only thing that is on the bus, unlike minibuses, payment is made again through the card terminal with the obligatory entrance to the front door (and only through it, you can only exit through the rest).

In dolmushes, the system is identical to the domestic one - “pass the fare” and “on the next one, please.” Unless, at first, dolmushi can embarrass or even scare you, as they pick up people right from the sidewalk, regardless of bus stops, and, in order to attract the attention of a potential passenger, they honk after him.

In buses, some time before the desired stop, you must press the “stop” button on the handrails, the driver is not going to stop if someone specifically does not need to get off. Inconvenient system for tourists, be prepared to miss a couple of times. I personally got used to it. Until you remember all the stops you need ... And they also don’t have names, you need to know visually.

Transport rental

I have never used car rental services in Ankara, but on a tip from a friend, I could recommend the trusted company Garenta. Issue price: approximately $35-40 per day. It is also convenient to compare car rental prices from different sites. However, beware of fuel prices, they bite terribly. The average cost of a liter of gasoline is $1.5, while in the world a similar figure is $1.15.

Main advice- try to keep yourself, pedestrians and your nervous system alive. Do not expect to be missed when changing lanes and get ready to be “signaled” when trying to politely let a driver pass, for example, at an intersection, and thereby delay the flow for at least a couple of seconds. Also, be prepared for the fact that pedestrians do not use zebras and can jump out onto the roadway in the busiest traffic flow, they can even brazenly and slowly “walk” in front of your car, crossing the avenue. distance of 5 meters from vehicle for a pedestrian, as the distance from heaven to earth, that is, according to his logic, he will have time to cross three more times. So, be extremely careful and do not be surprised at anything :).

Ankara - holidays with children

Would not consider it a great idea to travel to Ankara with children. First of all, this is not in the interests of the children themselves: the city is industrial - shopping and business centers, restaurants and residential areas. In the historical part (Ulus), it will hardly seem comfortable to walk with a child in such a hilly area, where traders and bustling street life are at every step. From what children will like, in the capital there is only an amusement park and a pretty good zoo, but nothing more.

In this article, you will find out which city is the capital of Turkey - Istanbul or Ankara, and also what caused the transfer of the capital of the Turkish state.

Most tourists who have visited Turkish resorts more than once still do not know why Ankara is the capital of Turkey, and some are even sure that Istanbul is the main city of this state. This common misconception can be dispelled by learning a little historical facts about these two megacities, and it will immediately become clear how such a tiny city as Ankara could grow into the capital of a booming country.

Why did the transfer happen?

In 1923, a new Turkish state appeared on the world map. Turkey's first president, Kemal Atatürk, and members of the Grand National Assembly decided to move the capital from Istanbul to Ankara. This was done for two reasons. Firstly, at that time, there were centers of political tension near the former main city of the country, such as the Balkans and the straits, and this, of course, was very dangerous for the newly-made state, and the second reason was that Ankara was not so conservatively minded power, unlike Istanbul.

The current capital of Turkey, although it is the second largest city in the country, nevertheless also boasts of its ancient history that began in the seventh century BC.

Ankara

This city is located on the Anatolian plateau and has no access to the sea, which deprives it of tourist charm, so there are not as many vacationers in the capital as in other Turkish resorts. For an independent trip, Ankara is not considered the most successful destination, but in order to get to know the history of Anatolia and Turkey, of course, you need to include the capital in your sightseeing tour.

Until the beginning of the twentieth century, Ankara was not a developed metropolis, and its population was only 60 thousand people. Currently, the capital is home to more than five million inhabitants, and it is a real center of museums, embassies, ministries and universities. This city attracts tourists with its unusual architecture, and although Ankara is located quite far from the sea, people come here to enjoy an overview of local attractions and conduct shopping tours.

In the modern capital of Turkey, there is a mausoleum of the first president of the country, as many citizens still remember Kemal Ataturk with respect and honor his memory. Not less than interesting place Ankara is considered the oldest mosque of Aladdin, and its neighbor is the Christian temple of Augustine and Roma, built back in the distant days of the reign of Emperor Augustus.

In this Turkish city, antiquities and modernity and stylish newfangled buildings with priceless old buildings were surprisingly displaced.

City of two seas

Everyone knows that Istanbul is not only the cultural capital of Turkey, but also an important sea port, as well as the industrial and commercial center of the state. It is the only settlement in the world located on two continents at once, and is washed by the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea.

This is a real city-legend, and every stone on its streets and house is a living history. The former capital of Turkey conquers millions of hearts with its splendor, as this city is beautiful at any time of the year.

Here are the unsurpassed palaces of the sultans and mosques, as well as a huge number of Turkish baths, guaranteeing their visitors a complete relaxation of body and soul. Nightlife lovers come to Istanbul to visit its famous clubs and discos located on Ortakoy and Beyoglu.

Many tourists tend to get to this city, because here are the largest shopping centers in Europe and the Great Istanbul Bazaar. In addition, one of the largest suspension bridges on the planet over the Bosphorus was built in the cultural capital of the Republic of Turkey. Even in Istanbul, there is the ancient center of several cultures - Hagia Sophia, and not far from it is the city pride of the Blue Mosque.

Of course, in Turkey there are two important cities for this country, just one of them Ankara is the official capital of the state, and the other Istanbul is cultural, but at least once in your life it is worth visiting both of these cities, as each of them has its own charm.

"Ankara or Istanbul is the capital of Turkey?" - ask many foreign tourists. And they are very surprised when they hear that the main city is located somewhere in the north-west of the country. What makes people think Istanbul is the capital? Probably the sensational series "The Magnificent Century", an epic that told about the ups and downs in the family of Suleiman Kanuni (the Just). Yes, the city on the Golden Horn was the capital. And, by the way, not only in the time of the sultans. And Ankara? Is it a "new building", like, say, the Kazakh capital Astana? Read about the ups and downs of the fate of the two cities in this article.

Founding of Istanbul

The honor of laying the "first stone" in the city belongs to the Greek colonists. In 658 B.C. e. they arrived from Megara and founded a settlement on a small island, which was located between the Sea of Marmara and the Golden Horn. They named their city in honor of their leader Byzant. The favorable geographical position, which made it possible to control the passage of ships from Chernoye and back, contributed to the enrichment of the inhabitants, the development of crafts and trade. City of Byzantium - future capital Turkey Istanbul - quickly became one of the main Greek policies. In 74 BC. e. Rome conquered Asia Minor. The city, whose territory had long since extended far beyond the boundaries of the original island, continued to flourish. But the invasion of the barbarians, which became the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire, shook the well-being of the inhabitants of Byzantium. By the third century AD, the city had fallen into disrepair.

Ancient Ankara

If you ask which city is older - Byzantium or Angira (this is the former name of the capital of Turkey), then it should be recognized that both modern metropolises arose at about the same time, in the 7th century BC, but Ankara has something to outdo Istanbul . Not far from it is the unique Neolithic city of Chatal Huyuk. Yes, and on the territory of modern Ankara in the XI century (long before the arrival of the Greek colonists) there was a fortress, which was one of the links in the defensive chain of the Hittite civilization. Interestingly, the Greek name "Angira" is translated as "anchor". Where does such a ship's symbol come from in a city remote from the seas? Angira lay at the crossroads of many roads connecting Asia Minor with Europe and Africa. Due to its advantageous position, the city was constantly the target of attacks. It was owned by the Persians, Phrygians, Celts. The Roman conquest gave a special impetus to economic development. Emperor Augustus built his summer residence here. In Angira, as in ancient Byzantium, there were such benefits of civilization as sewerage, plumbing, street lighting, the fire department and the police kept order.

times of decline

The eastern part of the vast Roman Empire suffered less from the invasion of the barbarians than the western. Therefore, a native of Trier (modern Germany), Constantine the Great, decided in 324 to transfer the capital of his state to Byzantium. In order for the city, which had fallen into some decline, to meet the standards of the capital, the emperor started a large-scale construction. He introduced for potential settlers - artisans and merchants. For six years the area of the city has increased several times. He, of course, was smaller than modern Ankara or Istanbul. The capital of Turkey at that time was small town. But Byzantium, which Constantine renamed New Rome, flourished. The emperor really wanted his capital to overshadow the Eternal City with its luxury. In addition to benefits to entrepreneurs, he distributed bread, olive oil and fuel from the treasury to those in need. From Athens, Ephesus, Rome and Corinth, sculptors and artists, architects and clerics were invited to New Rome.

Byzantine times

The name did not stick, and after the death of the emperor, the city was renamed Constantinople. It was a real metropolis of the early Middle Ages. The relics of the main saints were brought here, majestic temples, baths, cisterns, a hippodrome were built. The city, given under the patronage of the Virgin, had several commercial and military ports. After the final collapse of the Roman Empire, Constantinople became the capital of a new state - Byzantium. This powerful state, headed by the basileus, extended much further than present-day Turkey. The capital (the map clearly demonstrates this) was then almost in the center of the country. The spiritual influence of Byzantium extended even further. The religion of the Slavic peoples came to us from there. And also the alphabet - Cyrillic. But Tsargrad (as the Slavs called Constantinople) became the object of military campaigns. The kings of the West, the Crusaders, Slavs, Huns, Persians, Avars, Arabs and Pechenegs dreamed of mastering it.

Ankara in Byzantine times

The luxury and splendor of the great empire, albeit indirectly, also affected the eastern neighbor of Constantinople - the modest Angira. The most important route to the East, to Asia, passed through this city. Arabs and Crusaders fought for control of the Silk Road. With the weakening of the Byzantine Empire, Ankara - the capital of Turkey in the future - passed into the possession of the Seljuks. This happened after the Battle of Malazgit in 1073. Under the Seljuks, the city did not fall into decay. But then the Ottomans appeared on the historical arena. At the beginning of the 15th century, their troops, led by Sultan Bayezid I, fought in the Battle of Angora with the army of Timur. The city and its environs were badly damaged. True, the troops of the Sultan in this battle were defeated, and he himself was taken prisoner.

Magnificent century

561 years ago, on May 29, 1453, Constantinople was taken by the army of Mehmed II Fatih (the Conqueror). Constantine XI Palaiologos, the last basileus, died in battle. Thus ended the more than 1100-year history of the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople was renamed Istanbul. The “Brilliant Porte” (as the contemporaries called the Ottoman Empire of the Turks), having inherited such an economic potential, became one of the prominent players in the political arena of the world. Mehmed Fatih did not have a question - Ankara or Istanbul. The Ottoman capital of Turkey was supposed to captivate the imagination of foreign ambassadors with luxury and unprecedented scope. It is here that grandiose mosques and, of course, the Sultan's Topkapi Palace are being built.

Ankara during the Ottoman Empire

The current capital of Turkey, even before the fall of Constantinople, went first to the Seljuks, and then to the Ottomans. This city on the Anatolian Highlands has long been accustomed to the life of a frontier outpost. From the 6th to the 9th century (even under the Byzantine basileus) a citadel with a double ring of defensive walls was built in the city. Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, was connected with Ankara by a trade route. Consequently, the provincial city was still not a backwater. Mosques are being built here - some directly on the foundations of Christian churches, which, in turn, were erected on the site of pagan temples. The oldest Muslim building in Ankara is the Hadjibayram Mosque, built in the 15th century on the ruins of the Temple of Augustine and Roma. This iconic building still performs its functions. Inside is the tomb of Haji Bayram, a saint and founder who died in 1430.

Ankara - the capital of Turkey

In the 18th and 19th centuries, weakened by constant wars, it fell into decay. Even in the First World War, Turkey decided to support Germany - and as a result, shared the bitterness of defeat with her. Therefore, in 1918 Istanbul was occupied by the armies of France, Great Britain and Greece. But soon, after the struggle for independence, the world recognized Turkey's sovereignty. In 1923, the leader proclaimed the overthrow of the monarchy and the formation of the Republic. He wanted to distance himself as much as possible from the "Sultan" Istanbul, especially since there were many supporters of the old regime there. In addition, Ataturk wanted to move the capital away from the "line of hostilities." Ankara was not chosen by chance. This city was in relative proximity to Istanbul, moreover, it was connected with it by a railway line. But the new capital of Turkey (photos of those years eloquently testify to this) was a complete backwater. There was no running water, lighting or sewerage in the city. The ambassadors sarcastically mentioned that donkeys were tied to the lattice window of the country's Foreign Ministry.

Capital of Turkey now

Ataturk invested a lot in the arrangement and development of the city. Now it is a multi-million dollar metropolis. The main attraction of Ankara is the mausoleum of the national leader Ataturk. Next to the newest buildings, narrow medieval streets and ancient mosques coexist here. But numerous embassies and government buildings dispel any doubt as to which city - Ankara or Istanbul - the capital of Turkey.

Ankara is the capital of Turkey, located in the central-western part of the country. The metropolis covers a huge area of 25,632 sq. km and is the largest in terms of territory in the state. As of 2017, Ankara's population exceeds 5.44 million people, and this is the second largest city in Turkey in terms of population and the third largest among European cities.

The city was founded in the 8th-7th centuries. BC. and was named Angira. Already in the 3rd century BC. it passes under the patronage of the Celts, but reaches its highest peak during the reign of the Roman Empire. Despite its remoteness from the sea, Ankara has acquired great importance due to the main land routes that crossed in it. After the Romans, the city was ruled by the Byzantines, and in 1073 it was captured by the Seljuks, and Ankara became one of the most important cities of the Ottoman Empire.

In the course of centuries, the metropolis gradually loses its significance and by the 19th century acquires a provincial appearance. However, in 1893, the construction of the Anatolian railway began here, which connected Ankara with Istanbul, thereby returning the status of a significant object to it. With the beginning of the liberation struggle of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the city became the focus of revolutionary forces, and with his coming to power, it turns into a capital. Since 1923, the metropolis begins to develop and expand rapidly and eventually grows into one of the largest cities in Europe.

Today Ankara is the most important commercial, industrial and cultural center of Turkey. And although it is not popular among tourists due to its remoteness from the coast, rare travelers visit it to get acquainted with a variety of attractions. Ancient buildings of the Roman era have been preserved here, there are several interesting museums and beautiful mosques. A highly developed urban infrastructure provides all the conditions for a comfortable stay. In the metropolis you will find many hotels, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and shopping centers. What to see in Ankara and what to do during your vacation in the city, we tell below.

Attractions

The sights of Ankara will first of all tell you about its rich history, dip into different eras and generally expand your horizons. The most interesting among them are:

In many photos of the capital of Turkey - Ankara, you can see a strict majestic building with columns. This is nothing more than the mausoleum of Ataturk, visiting which you will realize how much the locals love and revere their national hero. It was this politician who brought the country out of religious darkness, endowed women with the right to vote, made medicine and education accessible to all segments of the population. For the tomb of the Turkish leader, a beautiful place was chosen on a high hill, from where a breathtaking panorama of the capital opens. The building itself is simple, but solemn, and is at the same time a museum. The remains of Ataturk were brought here in 1944, and today hundreds of residents come to the mausoleum every day to pay tribute to the memory of their hero. It is especially interesting to watch the changing of the guard here.

You can visit the attraction: from November 1 to January 31 from 9:00 to 16:00, from February 1 to May 14 from 9:00 to 16:30, from May 15 to October 31 from 9:00 to 17:00.
The entrance is free.
An audio guide is sold in front of the alley in the left tower. The cost for an adult is 4 TL ($ 1), for children - 2 TL ($ 0.5).
It will take at least 2 hours to inspect the entire complex.
The address: AnItkabir, AnIt Cad. Tandoğan, Cankaya, Ankara 06520, Turkey.

Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Muzesi)

If you are vacationing in Turkey in Ankara, be sure to check out the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. This is one of the most famous historical museums in the world. Slowly examining the presented expositions, you will plunge into ancient times and get acquainted with the culture of the Celts, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. All exhibitions are organized quite qualitatively, excellent lighting is built, the design is thought out to the details. The halls in the gallery follow in chronological order, starting from the Neolithic era and ending with the period of the Ottoman Empire. An interactive walk through the ancient village is also available here, which is especially interesting for children.

You can visit the attraction daily from 8:30 to 19:00.
The entrance ticket costs 20 TL ($5).
An audio guide is available for 10 TL ($2.5).
The address: Gozcu Sokak No: 2 | Ulus, Ankara 06240, Turkey.

Rahmi M. Koc Museum

This museum is a real paradise for children and men with an incredible variety of exhibits. Here is a huge collection of models of ships, cars, trains, planes, bicycles, etc. The museum will tell you about how Turkey has developed over the centuries, show exhibitions about the daily life of people of various classes and present scientific inventions from different eras. In the center of the building there is a fashionable restaurant, considered one of the best in the capital. The museum is located in a historic building that used to be a hotel. There is also a small gift shop on site.

You can get acquainted with the exhibits of the museum from Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00.
The entrance ticket price for an adult is 16 TL ($ 4), for children 7 TL ($ 1.5).
Many travelers note that it is worth allocating at least 3 hours to visit the sights.
The address: Necatibey Mahallesi, Depo Sokak No: 1 | Altindag, Ankara 06230, Turkey.

Haci Bayram Mosque

One of the oldest mosques in Ankara, built in the 15th century on the site of a Byzantine church, was named after the dervish mentor, Haji Bayram. The building and the area around it have been restored in traditional Ottoman style and are set in a beautifully landscaped square. Inside the building, the decoration of the doors is especially impressive, which are copies of authentic products, and the originals themselves are kept in one of the museums in Ankara. Near the mosque, you can look at the ruins of an ancient pagan temple from the Roman era. Also around the building there are several cafes and shops located in restored historical buildings.

You can visit the Hadji Bayram Mosque in Ankara in the morning and in the afternoon.
It is best to come to the sights in between prayers.
The entrance is free.
The address: Hacı Bayram Mahallesi, Sarıbağ Sk. No:13, 06050 Altındağ, Ankara, Turkey.

Kocatepe Mosque

Another attraction of Ankara in Turkey is Kocatepe - the largest mosque and the unchanging symbol of the city. This relatively young building, erected in 1987, was modeled after the famous Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul. Outside, the building impresses with its beauty and scale, and inside it impresses with an unusual crystal chandelier in the shape of a ball. A visit to this attraction will be of interest to both connoisseurs of Islamic culture and inquisitive travelers. It is noteworthy that despite its size, the mosque is usually not crowded, so you can safely walk here and appreciate its magnificent decoration. Kocatepe looks especially beautiful in the evening, when the lights that illuminate it turn on.

The attraction is available for inspection in the morning and afternoon.
The entrance is free.
When visiting a mosque, it is worth observing Islamic traditions in clothing: the head, arms and legs of women must be covered.
The address: Kültür Mahallesi, Dr. Mediha Eldem Sk. No:67, 06420 Cankaya, Ankara, Turkey.

The historical district of old Ankara is a cozy and clean place where it is pleasant to walk and sit in a cafe with a cup of Turkish coffee. This quarter went through a quality restoration, and today you can see neat houses, well-maintained streets and sights in perfect condition - mosques and a clock tower. Finding yourself in the Hamamonu area, you will get a complete picture of what Ankara was like a century ago. In addition to numerous cafes and restaurants, there are various shops here, so the quarter is considered a good place for shopping.

You can visit Hamamonu district in Ankara absolutely free of charge at any time.
The address: Talatpasa Bulvari, Ankara, Turkey.

Citadel (Ankara Citadel)

Another historical corner of the capital was the city citadel. The building was erected in the 7th century from the stones left over from the former Greek and Roman fortresses. The citadel served as a reliable defender from enemies, which is confirmed by its walls, the thickness of which reaches 8 meters. And although the building itself was practically destroyed and was not reconstructed, ancient inscriptions and bas-reliefs were preserved on it.

The attraction is located on a hill and there are several viewing platforms on its territory, from where the most beautiful view of Ankara opens, especially after sunset. On the way up, you will be met by dilapidated old houses and souvenir shops. Near the main entrance to the citadel, there is a Turkish restaurant where you can drink oriental strong coffee in a relaxed atmosphere while enjoying panoramic views.

This attraction of Ankara is available for viewing at any time.
The entrance is free.
To visit the citadel, we recommend wearing comfortable sports shoes.
The address: Kale Mh., 06240 Altindag/Ankara, Ankara 06240, Turkey.

Holidays in Ankara

Accommodation

Ankara, being the capital of Turkey, although not a tourist one, is ready to offer a lot of accommodation options. Here you can find hotels of 3, 4 and 5 stars, as well as apartments. The minimum price for checking into a three-star hotel in a double room is 108 TL ($ 24) per night. On average, the cost varies between 150 - 250 TL ($ 35-55). For those who prefer apartments to hotels, apartments are available on Booking, the rental price of which starts from 158 TL ($ 35) per day and ranges from 170 - 250 TL ($ 38-55).

Ankara Hotel

When choosing a hotel, it is very important to pay attention to the area of accommodation. If the purpose of your trip is sightseeing, then it is most reasonable to stay in the historical quarter of Ulus. The most convenient for public transport is the Kızılay area: the main metro lines intersect here and the main bus routes pass. In addition, in Kyzylay you can find many restaurants, inexpensive cafes and large shopping centers. Well, if you are looking for a cozy and quiet quarter with an abundance of coffee houses and bars, then it is best to book a hotel in Tunalı.

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Holidays in Ankara will definitely appeal to lovers of quality restaurants and cafes, because the choice of such establishments here corresponds to the capital level. There are many budget options for a quick bite to eat in the city. So, to dine in an inexpensive restaurant will cost an average of 20 TL ($ 5) per person. And for 16 TL ($ 3.5) you can have a bite to eat in one of the fast foods. For a three-course dinner for two in a mid-range establishment, you will pay 70 TL ($15). Below are prices for popular drinks:

Local beer 0.5 - 12 TL ($ 2.5)
Imported beer 0.33 - 15 TL ($ 3.5)
A cup of cappuccino - 8 TL ($ 2)
Pepsi 0.33 - 3 TL ($ 0.60)
Water 0.33 - 1 TL (0.25 $)

Having studied the Ankara establishments that received the highest rating from visitors, we noted:

L'avare

L'avare (Italian, Mediterranean and European cuisine)
Trilye Restaurant (seafood, Turkish and European dishes)
Pizza Il Forno (pizza)
No4 Restaurant Bar Lounge (international cuisine)
The Bigos – Bahcelievler (fast food)

shopping

The capital of Turkey is replete with a variety of shopping centers, which feature both world-class brand stores and departments with popular Turkish brands. It is worth noting that the quality of local textiles is at a high level, so we recommend buying clothes in Turkey. You should also pay attention to leather products - shoes, bags, outerwear. Shopping in Ankara is best done in trusted shopping malls, where a wide range of products of various brands is presented. Among these complexes:

ANKAmall Alisveris Merkezi

ANKAmall Alisveris Merkezi
Armada Shopping & Business Center
Cepa Shopping Mall
Kentpark Alisveris Merkezi

Weather and climate

It is best to visit the capital of Turkey during the warm months, when your vacation will not be overshadowed by cold and precipitation or heat with scorching sun rays. The most comfortable months to visit Ankara are June and September. At this time, the air temperature during the day fluctuates between 23-30 ° C. But July and August are not very favorable months for visiting the metropolis. During this period, the thermometer does not fall below 31 ° C, and such a temperature can bring real discomfort, especially considering that the city is located far from the sea coast.

Cloudy weather is typical for March and April in Ankara, and the most precipitation falls in May, so it is better not to plan a trip to the capital for these months. In winter, it is cold here, it rains, and when the temperature reaches minus levels, snow falls. More detailed information about the weather in Ankara can be found in the table below.

Month	Average temperature during the day	Average temperature at night	Number of sunny days	Number of rainy days
January	3.5°C	-2°C	14	3
February	7.2°C	-0.3°C	13	1
March	11.6°C	2.6°C	16	3
April	18.1°C	7.1°C	21	3
May	22.9°C	11.1°C	22	6
June	27.5°C	14.6°C	28	2
July	31.4°C	18.8°C	30	0
August	31°C	19.7°C	30	1
September	27°C	16.5°C	28	1
October	19°C	10.6°C	26	2
november	12°C	4.6°C	21	1
December	5.7°C	-0.2°C	17	2

Transport connection

You can get to Ankara from Kyiv or Moscow by direct international flights or by flights with transfers. The nearest airport, Esenboga, is located 28 km northeast of the center of the capital and receives daily flights from Russia and Ukraine. Direct flights to specified destinations are carried out by Turkish companies Pegasus airlines and Turkish airlines.

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Three types of transport are available for movement between cities within the country: plane, train and bus. The easiest and fastest way to get to Ankara is on domestic flights, which operate daily from almost all major cities. You can view tickets from reputable carriers - Pegasus airlines, Onur Air and Turkish airlines.

Also in Turkey, a well-developed network of intercity bus routes, so getting to the capital from different parts of the country is not difficult by bus. For ticket prices and schedules, please visit www.obilet.com.

Many metropolitan areas are connected with Ankara railroad tracks, so another option to get to the city will be the train. To check available routes and fares, visit ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr. Here, perhaps, are all the most convenient ways to get to the city of Ankara.

It is located on the Anatolian Plateau, at the confluence of the Ankara (Enguri) and Chubuk rivers, at an altitude of approx. 830–850 m above sea level. The city is spread out on a steppe and mountainous hill on the left bank of the Ankara River. The Ankara region is one of the driest in Turkey. Surrounded by infertile and monotonous steppe landscape. The climate is sharply continental, with cold and snowy winters and hot dry summers. In January, the average daytime temperature is +1°C, at night -6°C; in July–August from +12°C at night to +27–28°C during the day. Rains occur in the spring and autumn seasons.

Control.

City authorities are subordinate to the provincial administration, headed by the government governor. The city is governed by an elected City Council and a mayor responsible to it. Greater Ankara is subdivided into 17 municipalities, 422 neighborhoods (mahallas) and 82 villages with their own self-government bodies.

Story.

The region of modern Ankara was the center of the most ancient cultures of civilizations, starting from the Neolithic era. Not far from the current capital, traces of settlements of the Neolithic period (Etiyokusu), the Copper-Stone Age (Karaoglan), the Bronze Age (Akhlatibel, Yumurtatepe, Bitik), the Hittite era (Goyuk, Gavurkale), the remains of the Phrygian capital Gordion, the fortress of the Galatians (Karalar) were excavated and others. The territory of Central Anatolia was part of the Hittite state (2 thousand BC) (), the Phrygian and Lydian kingdoms (1 thousand BC) and the Persian state. At that time, a small settlement or town existed on the territory of Ankara, and already ca. 1200 BC - a fortification in which the locals found refuge. The settlement was located at the intersection of important roads and trade routes. In 333 BC Alexander the Great stayed in it for a short time. After the collapse of the empire he created, Central Anatolia went to one of his commanders, Antigonus, but he died in 301 BC. during the ongoing struggle for power between the heirs of Alexander.

In 278 BC the central part of Asia Minor was captured by the Celtic tribe of the Galatians, who invaded from Europe, who turned Ankara into the center of the state he created. They think it comes from them ancient name cities - "Ankira" ("anchor"). The Galatians waged a fierce struggle with the neighboring kingdom of Pergamon, to whose aid Rome came. In 183 BC Galatia fell under the control of Pergamum, and in 166 BC. - under the influence of the Roman Empire (). It retained its formal independence until 25 BC, when Emperor Augustus turned it into a Roman province with its center in Ancyra, which received the status of a city-polis. From time to time, Roman emperors spent their summers there. From the period of Roman rule in Ankara, the temple of Augustus, the baths built under the emperor Caracalla, the remains of the Roman theater and the column of the emperor Julian the Apostate, who visited the city during his campaign against the Persians, have survived. At the beginning of a.d. Christianity began to spread in Galatia (according to legend, by the Apostle Paul), and in the 4th century. Ankira was already one of the centers of Christianity in Asia Minor.

The city retained its military and strategic importance as part of the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire (4th-11th centuries), although in the 5th century. was attacked by the Persians, and from the 6th c. - Arabs. For defense against raids from the East, the outer walls of the Ankara fortress were built. Byzantine power in the region ended in 1071, when the Seljuk sultan Alparslan took possession of Anatolia. In 1073, he annexed Ankara, or as the Seljuk Turks began to call it, Enguriye, to his possessions. Under the Seljuk governor of the city of Kizilbey, in 1222, the oldest city bridge, Akkopru, was built. The city was also known as Angora and was famous for the fact that the famous angora wool was traded through it. .

After the collapse of the Sultanate of the Seljuk Turks, the city was captured in 1356 by Orhan I, the second sultan of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1402 the troops of the Central Asian ruler Timur invaded Asia Minor. During the decisive battle near Ankara, Sultan Bayezid I was utterly defeated. Only in 1413 the Ottoman Empire was recreated, and the city is now firmly included in its composition.

Having become the center of the Ankara pashalik, Ankara has become one of the largest centers of trade and crafts in the East. She was especially famous for the production of cloth fabrics. Since 1864 Ankara has been the center of the vilayet of the same name. However, in the 19th century the importance of the city began to gradually decline, despite the construction in 1893 of the Anatolian railway, which connected it with the capital, Istanbul (Constantinople). At the beginning of the 20th century he lost his once leading role in trade, handicrafts fell into decay, and Ankara became a small provincial settlement.

The situation changed after the First World War, in which the Ottoman Empire was defeated. In 1919, the leader of the Turkish national movement, Kemal Atatürk, having assessed the strategic position of Ankara in the center of Asia Minor, moved his residence to the city. In April 1920, the Turkish parliament, the Grand National Assembly, met in Ankara, declaring that it did not recognize the terms of the peace treaty imposed by the Entente with the victorious powers. The attack of the Greek troops on the city was repulsed in the summer of 1921. In October 1923 Turkey was proclaimed a republic and Ankara became its capital.

President Ataturk embarked on a large-scale modernization of the country. The new policy was reflected in the appearance of the Turkish capital. Experts from Europe were invited for its development and planning. South of the old settlement was built new town European type. In February 1924, the municipality of Ankara was officially established.

Its economy was initially dominated by small and handicraft enterprises, most of which processed agricultural products.

By 1930, the authorities built modern factories and plants in Ankara (the first were a brewery, cement and powder factories in 1925–1926, then metallurgical and weapons enterprises, etc.), new houses. The population grew rapidly: in 1920 it had 30 thousand inhabitants, in 1927 - 75 thousand, and by 1940 - 155 thousand people.

Intensive construction continued after the Second World War, when the Turkish capital basically acquired a modern look. The city's economy grew rapidly: it also housed construction firms, trading, banking and insurance companies. The population of Ankara, which in 1950 was almost 290 thousand, increased by 1960 to 646 thousand, and in 1980 reached 2.8 million.

In 1984, a law was passed on the municipalities of large cities. However, under the rigidly centralized system introduced by Atatürk, the city authorities were entirely dependent on the government and received funding from the state budget. Under the conditions of economic liberalization in the 1980s, the share of funds allocated from the budget for the needs of local self-government increased from 0.05% to 4%, and local authorities received more opportunities to organize the necessary system of services. Under the leadership of Mayor Mustafa Melik Gokcek, who heads city government For almost 20 years, a number of urban development projects and plans have been implemented to improve the infrastructure of the capital. The private sector of the economy has received significant development: its share in the industry of the city has grown from 20% in 1960 to 85% at the moment.

Population.

Ankara had 5153 thousand inhabitants in 2005. The bulk of them are Turks, there are also Kurds, Arabs, etc. Religiously, 99% of the population professes Islam, but Turkey is officially considered a secular country.

Economy.

Ankara is the second most important and potential economic center of Turkey (after Istanbul). Its development is determined by a convenient position on transport routes, the presence of a significant number of civil servants and students, industrial facilities, banks and trading companies. The proximity of the city to the metallurgical base in Karabuk, coal mining in Zonguldak and large sources of agricultural raw materials led to the development of the manufacturing industry in it and the suburbs. To overcome the chaotic placement of industrial facilities in the city, the first industrial zone was organized in 1990, in which up to 80% of Ankara's industry was concentrated. There are industrial zones "Ostim" and "Ivedik", where mainly medium and small enterprises are concentrated. Work has begun on the creation of 2, 3 and 5 industrial zones in the Greater Ankara region. About 3,000 enterprises are registered in the Ankara Chamber of Industry. In total, there are approximately 53 thousand industrial facilities that employ St. 380 thousand people, of which 19% are in the automotive and auto repair industry, 14% in the electrical industry and 10% in the food industry. 45 thousand people were officially unemployed.

The Turkish capital is dominated by small and medium enterprises and firms. Of the factories and plants with more than 25 employees, the most numerous are those employed in the production of metal products and equipment, as well as in mechanical engineering. They make up to 40% of all industrial enterprises in the capital and its environs. An important role in this industry is played by military plants, primarily organized within the framework of the joint Turkish-American aerospace project launched in 1984, as well as such large companies as the military-industrial FMS-Nurol, the electric machine-building Aremsan, the electric Barish , "Rokestan", "Marconi", etc.

In the food industry, small firms with 10–14 employees are common. There are enterprises for the production of sugar, dairy and meat products, flowers, cement enterprises, a truck manufacturing plant. In Ankara, there are also enterprises for the manufacture of clothing, medicines and equipment, etc. The textile and furniture industries are developing rapidly.

Ankara is the second largest financial and credit center of Turkey after Istanbul. In 2002, approx. 600 branches of 3 state and 30 private banks. The city also plays a significant role in national trade.

Transport.

Located in the center of the country, Ankara is connected by direct rail links with the most important Turkish cities - Istanbul, Izmir, Balikesir (in the west), Isparta and Burdur (in the southwest), Zonguldak (in the north), Adana (in the south), Diyarbakir (in east). It is located at the intersection of important highways. Intercity buses run to various regions of Turkey, and through them - and abroad. International road transport through Ankara is carried out by 3.3 thousand vehicles of St. 100 companies and 161 buses 110 companies. The main bus station with 100 buses is located in Kizilai, west of Ankara, and is connected to the city center by bus. 30 km. north of the capital is Esenboga International Airport, which also serves flights within Turkey.

Communication within the city and its environs is provided by 1.9 thousand buses, trams (the length of lines is 272 km.), 176 local and suburban trains. In 1996–1997, two metro lines with a total length of 23.4 km were put into operation. By the end of 2005 it is planned to start operation of two more lines with a length of 34 km. Three other lines are under construction.

Planning and architecture.

Ankara consists of two parts, separated by the railway, and suburbs. To the north of the road is Old Ankara (Ulus), which largely retains the features of the old Muslim layout. It concentrated around the Citadel - a fortress surrounded by two rings of fortified walls with towers. The stones for their construction were taken from the ruins of ancient ancient buildings. The inner walls were built in the 6th c. external, surrounding Old city, erected in the 9th century. Inside the Citadel, houses dating back to the 17th century have been preserved.

Narrow winding streets, crowded bazaars, old craft quarters and small houses have been preserved in Old Ankara. The area has been restored, and now traditional shops, cafes and restaurants are open in it. Lots of mosques. One of them, the Aladdin Mosque near the southern gate of the Citadel, is considered a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture, although it was restored in the Ottoman era. The oldest mosque Hadzhibayram (15th century) is connected by a common wall with the Roman temple of Augustus. Other ancient Roman structures have been preserved in the old city. On the site of the Roman temple, the Arslankhane mosque was built with minarets lined with blue tiles. It is located behind south gate Citadels. Near the fortress there is a famous museum of Anatolian civilizations with a restored part of the ancient bazaar.

The southern, new part of Ankara (Yenisehir) arose after the transfer of the capital here and was rebuilt mainly in the second half of the 20th century. It has many boulevards and parks, government offices, mansions and embassies, hotels, theaters and large stores. Around Kizelai Square, south of the railway, is the central and most fashionable quarter of the new city. It also houses Güven Park with a famous memorial (1935). In the Maltepe quarter, on a hill in 1953, the mausoleum of Ataturk "Anitkabir" was erected, built in the style of ancient Anatolian architecture. Near the mausoleum is also the Museum of Ataturk.

From north to south, from the old city to the presidential palace, Ankara is crossed by a wide avenue - Ataturk Boulevard with a bronze monument to the founder of the Turkish Republic (1928). It is located on Ulus Square, not far from the building where the Great National Assembly met for the first time (currently a museum).

In the southern quarter of Cankaya, the symbol of modern Ankara rises - the Atakule TV tower (125 m.). At its foot is a shopping and business center. The tower offers a beautiful view of Ankara.

In the 1970s, the Turkish capital began to expand to the west. Modern suburbs and neighborhoods have grown along the Eskisehir Western Highway.

Education and science.

Ankara has a network of primary, secondary, lyceum and vocational schools, hosts many leading educational and scientific institutions, including Ankara University (diversified), Middle East Technical University, Hacettepe Medical University (trains general practitioners and nurses, engineers and technologists of medical equipment and employees of the sanitary and epidemiological service), Gazi Pedagogical University, Bilkent University, etc.

Research centers are concentrated in universities. As part of Ankara University, there are a number of permanent research institutes, mainly for the study of problems of linguistics, literary criticism, art history, philosophy, psychology, history (Institute of the History of the Turkish Revolution, Institute of Social Research). The University of Hadjattape includes institutes and diagnostic and treatment centers, including experimental and forensic medicine, physiology, embryology, pediatrics, nuclear physics and chemistry, surgery, anesthesiology, oncology, psychiatry, clinical pathology, and pharmacology. There are also the Ankara Research Center, which is part of the Turkish Atomic Research Society, the Society for Culture, Linguistics and History, the State Center for Hydraulics, etc.

The medicine.

Medical institutions are located extremely unevenly, about a quarter of hospitals and clinics are located in Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir. General hospitals predominate among hospitals. In the Turkish capital, approx. 900 pharmacies. Thanks to the availability of specialists, medical and research facilities, Hacettepe University trains medical personnel of the highest qualification. Clinical laboratories and scientific and diagnostic centers also function here.

Culture.

There are several dozen museums in Ankara. The most famous of them is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which contains frescoes from the Neolithic city of Chatal-Hyuk, Hittite sculptures, household items of the Hittites, Phrygians, Assyrians and Urartians, finds from Gordion, etc. Among them are items made of gold, silver and bronze, unique collection of coins. The ethnographic museum (1930) contains samples of Turkish art from the Seljuk era to the present. The museum was created on the remains of the Phrygian capital Gordion. The expositions of the Anitkabir mausoleum, museums of the War of Independence (the first building of Parliament), the Republic (the second building of Parliament), the Republican Revolution, the headquarters of the Turkish army in 1920–1922, and several houses-museums of Ataturk are devoted to the modern history of Turkey. Of the specialized museums, it should be noted the museum of painting and sculpture, industrial, railway, natural history, meteorological service, education, toys, aerospace, military cartography, sports, postage stamps, university museums, memorial museums, etc.

The rich National Library is located in the Turkish capital. Universities and museums have libraries. In total, Ankara and the province have 43 public, mobile and children's libraries, 418 publishing houses, 32 cinemas, 8 state (including the Bolshoi, Maly and Chamber) and 21 private theaters, a well-known philharmonic orchestra, ballet, dance, opera and art groups.

Mass media.

Turkish newspapers Cumhuriyet, Milliyet, Hurriyet, Radikal, Gazete Ankara, Gunesh and others, Daily News (in English) are published in Ankara, Ankara News Agency operates ( ANKA). Radio stations and 13 television channels broadcast.

Sport.

Football (the oldest club "Ankaragucu"), wrestling, volleyball (club "Yermanbank"), skiing, water sports (pools "Sakarya", "Kyzylirmak") are developed in the Turkish capital. The largest stadium in Ankara is May 19th.

Tourism.

Ankara is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists from other parts of Turkey and from abroad. In 2002, approx. 500 thousand citizens of Turkey and St. 210 thousand foreigners. Ankara's historical monuments, the ruins of Gordion, and numerous museums of the city are of interest to visitors. In 2001, only Gordion and the Roman baths were visited by 52 thousand people. In total, Ankara has 250 hotels and other accommodation for guests, designed for 22 thousand people, 2045 places for food and recreation for 109 thousand people.