Ankara - Turkey

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ANKARA - TURKEY

ANKARA CITY
Ankara, Turkey's capital, is, despite its long history, a thoroughly modern, well-planned city. The City is distinguished by its wide avenues, green parks, elegant shops, embassies and government buildings, and a large number of first-class restaurants and hotels. The city has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age. The very fine Museum of Anatolian Civilisations details the ebb and flow of cultures that have passed through the area, from the Hittites, the Romans, Byzantine, Seljuk Turks and Ottomans. A small provincial town until being named the capital of the new Republic in 1923, Ankara developed quickly It is the only city in Turkey with an urban development plan dating back to the 1930s.

In addition to the numerous historical buildings, mosques and museums, visitors enjoy touring the Citadel and browsing through the old shops in Çikrikçilar Yokusu near the Ulus area. On the street of Bakircilar Çarsisi, you can find many interesting old and new items: copper objects, jewellery, carpets, costumes, antiquities and embroidery. In Çankaya, the Atakule Tower, at 125 meters, offers a magnificent view over the whole city Ankara offers an attractive infrastructure for international meetings and is an excellent starting-point for excursions to Cappadocia and day trips to other ancient sites.

Main events
April: International Arts and Music Festival. April 23rd International Children's Festival.

Major sights in Ankara
The Citadel, Anatolian Civilisations Museum, Ethnographical Museum, Painting and Sculpture Museum, Temple of Augustus, Roman Baths, Mausoleum of Atatürk, Copper Market.

Tours and Excursions
Morning city sightseeing. Half day to Gordion. Phyrgian Necropolis, King Midas' mound, Museum, Midas city and rock carvings. Full day tour to Hattusas. Bogazkale, Hittite city Cylopean fortification, Royal Gate', Lions Gate, Temple of Storm God, Yazilikaya.

Access

Air: International Ankara Esenboga Airport, 25 km from the city centre.

Road: Accessible from all over Turkey by bus.

Rail: Connections to Istanbul, Izmir, Adana, Erzurum and Van.

Ürgüp - Göreme