Ankara is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is a center of industry and culture in Turkey. Walking through the city you'll see lots of beautiful and interesting places, representing aspects of its life. Take this tour to find the most important and mysterious attractions of Ankara.
1) Yeni Mosque
One of the most famous architects in Ankara in the 16th century was Sinan who designed the Yeni Mosque. The construction has an amazing design on the inside, with a white marble covering the pulpit and the prayer place whilst the outside is made of traditional Ankara stone. The edifice represents the largest Ottoman mosque in the city.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Donnyhoca
2) Ahi Elvan Mosque
The Ahi Elvan Mosque dates back to the late 14th century. It is situated in the historic Ulus region, right beside the Citadel. The Mosque’s main attraction is its unusual mimber, meaning the pulpit. The material most predominantly used in the mosque is wood. There are twelve wooden columns supporting the ceiling.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and seier+seier+seier
3) Lion's Den Mosque
The lion statues give the mosque its name. It is a perfect embodiment of Selçuk architecture. The construction includes ceramics, wooden columns on the tops of which are placed the marble Corinthian capitals. The location is an important destination for the devotees who come here to pray.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nino Barbieri
4) Ankara Castle
Ankara Castle is another Turkish historic spot, founded initially by Galatians on the top of a hill in Ulus. The lands around and inside the citadel are the oldest parts of the city and thus are a living example of architecture of different ages and nations. The region has changed a lot since antiquity. It has many cafés and restaurants serving traditional cuisine.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mark Hamilton
5) The Alaaddin Mosque
The Alaaddin Mosque represents one of the oldest constructions in the city, since it dates back to the 12th century. An inscription confirms the mosque's age, and also names its founder Mesut. The mosque is found inside the Citadel, although, unfortunately, not in its original shape and form since it was restored by the Sultans in 14th and 15th centuries.
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6) The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is located in the historic part of the city which is called Ulus. The Museum represents one of the most important historic and cultural edifices in the country, therefore everyone who wants to know the country’s history should visit this place. The Museum was last rebuilt in 1968 and today represents one of the most impressive collections of historic artifacts in the world.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Georges Jansoone
7) Hacı Bayram Mosque
Hacı Bayram Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Ankara, situated in the historical Ulus. It was built in the 15th century. The edifice was inaugurated in honor of Hacı Bayram Veli two years before he died. He was later buried nearby. The total area of the mosque is about 700 meters divided into two levels.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nosferatü
8) Roman Bath
Built in the period of Emperor Caracalla it was one of the most innovative constructions in the city. The complex combined three areas like: a frigidarium (cold room), a caldarium (hot room), and a tepidarium (tepid room). The bath offered different procedures for its customers.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and euthman