Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second-largest city, home to around 5.8 million people in the metropolitan area. Founded as the Republic's capital in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Ankara replaced Istanbul as the seat of government and grew rapidly throughout the 20th century. The city blends its ancient Hittite and Roman heritage with modernist Republican architecture and a vibrant contemporary urban scene. Anıtkabir — Atatürk's mausoleum — is the defining landmark, while the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations ranks among the world's finest archaeological collections. Ankara sits on the central Anatolian plateau at roughly 850 metres above sea level, giving it a continental climate with hot dry summers and cold snowy winters.
Ankara has been continuously inhabited for over 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest settled sites in Anatolia. Its history encompasses Neolithic settlement (c. 8000 BC), Hittite rule, Phrygian prominence (capital: Gordion 95 km away), Galatian governance, Roman grandeur (Temple of Augustus, Column of Julian), Byzantine continuity (Citadel walls), Seljuk and Ottoman administration (Aslanhane Mosque, Hacı Bayram Mosque), and its 1923 transformation into the capital of the Turkish Republic. Anıtkabir, completed in 1953, is the defining monument of that transformation.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Ankara.
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1
Neolithic / Chalcolithic (c. 8000–3000 BC)
The Ankara region was settled in Neolithic times, with evidence of habitation at the site of the present-day citadel hill dating back to around 8000 BC. Early agricultural communities established on the plateau left copper tools and pottery found at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
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2
Hittite Period (c. 2000–1200 BC)
The area around Ankara was part of the Hittite Empire, centred on Hattusa (near modern Boğazkale, 150 km east). The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations holds magnificent Hittite artefacts from this period including bronze figurines, reliefs, and hieroglyphic monuments. Ankara itself was a secondary Hittite administrative centre known as Ankuwash.
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3
Phrygian Period (c. 1200–700 BC)
After the collapse of the Hittite Empire, the Phrygians dominated central Anatolia from their capital Gordion (95 km southwest of modern Ankara). The legendary King Midas ruled Phrygia in this period. Phrygian artefacts including fibulae, pottery, and wooden furniture are preserved at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
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4
Galatian Period (278–25 BC)
Celtic Galatians (a tribe from the Balkans) settled in central Anatolia around 278 BC and made Ancyra (Ankara) their capital. The city grew significantly under Galatian rule and became a prosperous trading centre. The Galatians were later defeated by Rome and became a client kingdom.
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5
Roman Period (25 BC – 395 AD)
Ancyra became the capital of the Roman province of Galatia. The city flourished under Roman rule, with construction of temples, baths, a theatre, and roads. The Temple of Augustus (still standing today) was built in this period and bears the Monumentum Ancyranum — Augustus's autobiography inscribed in Latin and Greek. Emperor Julian visited Ancyra in 362 AD, and the Column of Julian still commemorates this visit.
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6
Byzantine Period (395–1073 AD)
After the division of the Roman Empire, Ancyra remained an important administrative and ecclesiastical centre of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. The citadel walls visible today were largely built or reinforced in the 7th–9th centuries during conflicts with Arab raiders. The Council of Ancyra (314 AD) was one of the early church councils held in the city.
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7
Seljuk and Danishmend Period (1073–1243 AD)
Following the Battle of Manzikert (1071), the Seljuk Turks began to control central Anatolia. Ankara changed hands several times between the Seljuks and Danishmend rulers. The Aslanhane Mosque, built in the late 13th century, survives from this period and is the oldest mosque in the city.
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8
Ottoman Period (1354–1923 AD)
Ankara came under Ottoman control by the mid-14th century. The city remained a prosperous but secondary Ottoman administrative centre, famous for its angora goat trade and the production of mohair. Hacı Bayram-ı Veli, the 15th-century Sufi mystic, was born and buried in Ankara, making it an important pilgrimage destination. The Battle of Ankara (1402) between Tamerlane and Ottoman Sultan Beyazıt I was fought nearby, with Tamerlane capturing the sultan. The Hamamönü neighbourhood preserves fine 19th-century Ottoman domestic architecture.
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9
Turkish War of Independence and Republic (1919–1923)
When Allied forces occupied Istanbul after World War I, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk relocated the nationalist resistance movement to Ankara in 1919. The Grand National Assembly convened here in 1920. After victory in the War of Independence, Ankara was declared the capital of the new Republic of Turkey on 13 October 1923, replacing Istanbul. The choice symbolised a break with the Ottoman past and the founding of a modern, secular, European-oriented state.
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10
Republican Ankara (1923–present)
From a population of approximately 30,000 in 1923, Ankara grew dramatically through planned urban development. New ministries, embassies, universities, and residential districts were built. Anıtkabir — Atatürk's mausoleum — was completed in 1953 and became the defining monument of the republic. Today the city has a metropolitan population of around 5.8 million and serves as the administrative, diplomatic, and military centre of Turkey.
Historical eras
The chapters of Ankara's past.
Historical sites
Places where Ankara's past comes alive.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
World-class archaeological museum housed in a 15th-century Ottoman bedesten, holding collections from the Palaeolithic through Roman periods. The Hittite gallery with bronze figurines, orthostat reliefs, and cuneiform tablets is unrivalled.
Admission: 200 TRY (~$6 USD); free with Müze Kart
Anıtkabir (Atatürk Mausoleum)
The grand mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic, completed in 1953. The complex includes the Hall of Honor, a personal museum, and a peace park. The hourly changing of the guard is unmissable.
Admission: Free
Temple of Augustus and Rome
One of the best-preserved Roman temples in Anatolia. Originally built for Cybele, rededicated to Augustus. The walls bear the Monumentum Ancyranum — Augustus's autobiography inscribed in Latin and Greek, a priceless historical document.
Admission: ~100 TRY (~$3 USD); free with Müze Kart
Ankara Citadel (Ankara Kalesi)
A well-preserved Byzantine and Ottoman fortress perched on a rocky hill overlooking central Ankara. The walls date largely to the 7th–9th centuries AD. Inside the citadel, traditional stone houses have been converted into shops and cafés.
Admission: Free outer walls; tower 30 TRY (~$0.90 USD)
Column of Julian
A 15-metre tall Roman column erected in 362 AD to commemorate Emperor Julian's visit to Ancyra. Topped by a stork nest for centuries. Stands in the middle of Government Square.
Admission: Free
Hacı Bayram Mosque
One of Ankara's most revered mosques, built in the early 15th century by Hacı Bayram-ı Veli, a Sufi mystic. Combines Seljuk and Ottoman architectural styles. The tomb of Hacı Bayram-ı Veli inside the complex draws pilgrims year-round.
Admission: Free
Aslanhane Mosque
One of the oldest mosques in Ankara, dating to the late 13th century. Features a remarkable wooden interior with recycled Roman-era marble columns. The name 'Aslanhane' (Lion House) comes from lion reliefs found in the courtyard.
Admission: Free
Gordion Archaeological Site
Capital of ancient Phrygia, 95 km southwest of Ankara. Associated with the legends of King Midas and the Gordian Knot. Features the Great Tumulus (King Midas's tomb, enterable), an excellent on-site museum, and ongoing excavations.
Admission: Museum + site 100 TRY (~$3 USD)
Museums
Curated collections that tell Ankara's story.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Turkey's finest archaeological museum, housed in a 15th-century Ottoman bedesten. Collections span the Palaeolithic through Roman periods with unrivalled Hittite and Phrygian galleries.
Hours: 08:30–19:00 summer; 08:30–17:30 winter; closed Monday
Admission: 200 TRY (~$6 USD); free with Müze Kart
Anıtkabir Museum (within Mausoleum complex)
Extensive museum documenting Atatürk's life, the War of Independence, and the founding of the Republic. Includes personal effects, military artefacts, and archive photographs.
Hours: 09:00–18:00 summer; 09:00–17:00 winter; closed Monday
Admission: Free
Ethnography Museum of Ankara
Ankara's ethnographic collections including Ottoman-era metalwork, ceramics, woodwork, and embroidery. Housed in a fine 1930 building near Ulus.
Hours: 08:30–17:30; closed Monday
Admission: 100 TRY (~$3 USD); free with Müze Kart
Rahmi M. Koç Museum
Industrial and transport heritage museum in a historic gasworks complex. Exhibits include vintage cars, aircraft, steam engines, and maritime displays.
Hours: 10:00–17:00 Tue–Fri; 10:00–19:00 Sat–Sun; closed Monday
Admission: 150 TRY (~$4.50 USD); children under 7 free
Gordion Museum (on-site at archaeological site)
On-site museum at the Phrygian capital of Gordion, 95 km southwest of Ankara. Contains the finds from the Great Tumulus (King Midas's tomb), Phrygian furniture, and Iron Age artefacts.
Hours: 08:30–17:30; closed Monday
Admission: Included with site ticket: 100 TRY (~$3 USD)