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Things to see in Ankara

Attractions

Erimtan Archaeology and Arts Museum

Avid collector Yüksel Erimtan managed to amass a stunning number of artefacts from Turkish archaeological sites during his life and this new museum assembles them here, in beautifully-curated displays. The collection highlights the Roman and Byzantine eras in particular, but also contains a few choice pieces from the Bronze Age.

Address: Ulus, Gözcü Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone: +90 312 311 0411
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 1000-1700.

Website: http://www.erimtanmuseum.org
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Ankara Citadel (Ankara Kalesi)

No visit to Ankara is complete without a wander around its Old City area contained within its much-besieged fortress walls. Of particular interest within the compact district are the 12th century Alaettin Mosque, and the lookout point of the Şark Kulesi (East Tower), with views over the city.

Address: Ulus, Gözcü Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times: Website: http://www.ankarakalesi.com
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk

This immense marble monument contains the tomb of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). As well as the actual mausoleum, the complex contains a museum dedicated to Turkey's War of Independence, Atatürk's program of modernising reforms afterwards, and memorabilia devoted to the man himself.

Address: Tandoğan, Anıt Caddesi, Ankara,
Telephone: +90 312 231 7975
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1630 (Feb-mid-May); daily 0900-1700 (mid-May-Oct); daily 0900-1600 (Nov-Jan). 

Website: http://www.anitkabir.org
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Museum of Anatolian Civilisations

Turkey's premier museum traces the mind-boggling history and multitude cultures of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) from the Palaeolithic age up to the Byzantine era. The stand out collections are the artefacts and wall-paintings unearthed from the Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük, and the hall dedicated to Anatolia's famed Hittite civilisation.

Address: Ulus, Gözcü Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone: +90 312 324 3160
Opening times:

Daily 0830-1900.

Website: http://www.anadolumedeniyetlerimuzesi.gov.tr
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Rahmi M Koç Industrial Museum

This is a museum for kids and big kids alike. The eclectic collection here covers everything from science and computing to toys and music, with multimedia displays scattered throughout to aid visitor understanding. It's housed in the Çengelhan, an old caravanserai (traveller's inn) that has been restored to its former glory.

Address: Ulus, Depo Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1900.

Website: http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr
Admission Fees: Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Hacı Bayram Mosque

Ankara's most important mosque is dedicated to venerated 15th century holy man Hacı Bayram Veli, founder of an order of dervishes. Today it remains a major pilgrimage site for Muslims. Non-Muslims wishing to enter the mosque should dress appropriately (long trousers and long sleeves) and females should wear a headscarf.

Address: Ulus, Hacı Bayram Veli Caddesi, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times: Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Painting and Sculpture Museum

This museum houses a series of galleries showcasing a selection of paintings and other Turkish art works dating from the 19th and 20th centuries. Although small (and not on par with the many art galleries of Istanbul) the collection contains works by all of Turkey's most well-known artists.

Address: Samanpazarı, Türkocağı Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 0900-1800.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Ethnography Museum

Ankara's Ethnography Museum boasts a fascinating collection of artefacts that cover the scope of Turkish culture, artistry and traditions from carpet-making and ceramics to coffee. It is housed inside a white marble post-Ottoman building which was used as Atatürk's mausoleum until the Anıtkabir was built in the 1950s.

Address: Samanpazarı, Türkocağı Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone: +90 312 311 9556
Opening times:

Daily 0830-1730 (summer); Tues-Sun 0830-1700 (winter).

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Temple of Augustus and Rome

One of Ankara's clutch of Roman remnants, this temple was built in approximately 20BC when Ancyra (modern-day Ankara) became regional capital of the Roman province of Galatia. The ruin is archaeologically important as the sole site of a complete Res GestaeDiviAugusti (Deeds of the Devine Augustus) funerary inscription.

Address: Ulus, Hacı Bayram Veli Caddesi, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Tues-Sun 0830-1700.

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Roman Baths

Located in central Ulus, Ankara's Roman baths remains are thought to have been constructed by the emperor Caracalla between 212 and 217 and was dedicated to Aesculapius, god of health. Today the site is rather scruffy and overgrown but the footprint of the baths can still be seen.

Address: Ulus, Çankırı Caddesi, Ankara,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 0830-1700

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Republic of Turkey, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ankara Tourist Office

Address: Ulus, Kale Kapısı Sokak, Ankara,
Telephone: +90 312 310 3044
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0900-1700.

Website: http://www.kultur.gov.tr

Ankara's tourist office is located in the citadel and offers brochures and a free map of the city.

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