Ankara Roman Ruins Walking Tour (Self Guided), Ankara

In 25 BC, Emperor Augustus annexed Ankara, then known as Ancyra, to the Roman Empire. Following that, the city, attached with considerable importance, was enhanced with fortifications and embellished with temples and elaborate civic buildings.

The most significant Roman landmarks, a testament to the Roman imperial cultural influence, survived to our days albeit ruined, include the Roman Theater which could once seat up to 15,000 spectators, and the Temple of Augustus and Rome, honoring the first Roman emperor, Augustus. The temple was turned into a church during the Byzantine period, and then a mosque, under the Ottomans, but today houses a museum.

The 15-meter-tall Column of Julian, erected in the 4th century AD, commemorates a visit to the city by Emperor Julian. Another relic, the Roman Baths, once used for socializing, relaxation, and hygiene, are among the most sizable remnants of Roman heritage in Ankara.

There is a popular saying, "Ankara is an open-air museum", which emphasizes the fact that the city has a rich historical background, a significant part of which comes from the Roman period. Should you wish to explore this museum yourself, at your own pace, and in your good time, feel free to give it a go on this self-guided walk.