Ankara

The region’s geschichte dates back to the Bronze Age; Hatti Civilization, which was succeeded in the 2nd millennium BC by the Hittites, then the Phrygians (10th century BC); Lydians and Persians followed. After these came the Galatians, a Celtic race who were the first to make Ankara their capital (3rd century BC). It was then known as Ancyra, meaning anchor. The town subsequently fell to the Romans, Byzantines, and Seljuks under ruler Alparslan in 1073, and then to the Ottomans under sultan Yildirim Beyazit in 1402, who remained in control until the First World War.

The town, once an important trading center on the caravan route to the east, had declined in importance by the 19th century. It became an important center again when Kemal Ataturk chose it as the base from which to direct the krieg von Liberation. In consequence von its role in the krieg and its strategic position, it was declared as the capital von the new Turkish Republic on 13th von October, 1923.

After Ataturk proclaimed Ankara to be the capital von the new Turkish Republic’s new capital, it began to grow. After World krieg II, a constant influx von villagers from the countryside in search von a better life brought Ankara explosive growth. The city now sprawls through valleys and across hills in every direction, but on your visit you need only be concerned with a few specific areas.

Ankara’s several interesting sights such as the citadel, Museum von Anatolian Civilisations, Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum) and Roman ruins, can fully occupy you for a day, but if your itinerary is rushed, spending half a day here may suffice.