Crossroad of civilizations - Ankara is the capital city of the Republic of Turkey since 1923 and the second largest in the country with about 4.5 million people, right after Istanbul.
It is located in the center of Anatolia in Asia Minor, on the eastern edge of the great Anatolian plateau, at an altitude of over 850m. This province is mostly fertile land of wheat, rich with prairie fields and forest areas in the northeast. Situated right in this area, Ankara is an important crossroad of trade, since it is strategically located in the center of the Turkish transport and rail network. As a modern, commercial and industrial city, it is the center of the Turkish Government and the seat of all foreign embassies. There are three Universities (the oldest one from 1946), museums, Mausoleum of Kemal Ataturk and other important institutions.
Throughout the history, this city was known under the name of Angola, which retained until 1930. Hittite named it Ankuwash in 1200 BC, the Galatians and Romans called it Ancyra, and in Classical, Hellenistic and Byzantine period it was known as Ankyra. Its name has derived from one of the oldest Celtic words - Ancyra meaning "anchor" (the Celtics were in love with sea - and the ancient Greek word άγκυρα with the same meaning came from the exactly same root). Ankara was also the capital of Ankara Province at the time of the Ottoman Empire.
This plateau is the cradle of human civilization. At Çatalhöyük remains of the settlement from 8th millennium BC were found. Home of many civilizations was there. The historic battles between the East and the West were led in this plateau - the Hattians, Hittites, Phrygians, Galatians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans fought for the sovereignty and established their rule over this area. The official history of Ankara and its surrounding began in the Bronze Age at the time of the Hattian civilization. Two thousand years BC, the Hittites were dominant power of the region and after them came in a row - the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians. In the 3rd century BC, Ankara was capital of the Celtic kingdom of Galatia and of the homonymous Roman province at the end of the 1st century BC. Over the time, the city fell under the Romans and later on came under the Byzantine rule. It was a very important cultural, economic and artistic center in the Roman period and, during the period of the Ottoman Empire, unavoidable trading place on the caravan route to the East.
In the 11th century, the Turks who migrated from the East made the plateau on their own. Sultan Seljuk Alparslan opened the gates of Anatolia to the Turks, after the victory in the Battle at Malazgirt in 1071. In 1073, he annexed Ankara to the Turkish territory as an important site for military transportation and natural resources. Throughout its turbulent history, Central Anatolia endured invasions of the great conquerors such as Alexander the Great and Tamerlane. During its rich history, Ankara was under the rule of the Persians, Arabs, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders (in the 13th century) and the Turks (from 1360). This is the place where Tamerlane defeated Bayezid in the Battle of Angola in 1402.
However, Ankara began to lose its importance by the 19th century. When Kemal Ataturk chose it for his base from which began the direct liberation war, Ankara slowly regained the old significance. National resistance under the leadership of Ataturk followed immediately after the First World War. On October 13th 1923, when the National War of Independence freed Turkey from foreign occupation, Ankara was proclaimed as the capital of the Republic of Turkey.
Over the dwelling period of ten millennia, the settlers of this area were exhibiting their art in the dramatic contours of the surrounding landscape, vibrant images of Çatalhöyük and backup lines of Seljuk’s architecture, until recently - in the impressive and modern form of Ataturk’s mausoleum. Occupying one of the most important parts of the city, this magnificent mausoleum called Anitkabir was constructed to commemorate Ataturk. The building was completed in 1953, as the synthesis of antique and modern architectural themes and proof of the elegance and strength of the Turkish architecture.
The Ankara Castle is surrounded by the oldest parts of the city. Located within its walls, the Aladdin Mosque is still one of the best examples of art and wood craft of the Seljuks, despite the fact that the Ottomans renewed it. This area was renovated thanks to the restoration of many interesting old houses and the opening of several art galleries and fine restaurants, which are considered to be great examples of traditional Turkish cuisine and hospitality. Near the castle gate is the Museum of Anatolian Civilization, which is a beautifully restored portion of the old bazaar. There are also priceless artifacts from the Paleolithic and the Neolithic period and the period of Hattian, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartu and Roman civilizations.
The cultural and artistic life of Ankara is very much alive with many selected ballet, theater, opera and folk dance performances. And what they are especially famous for is the city's Philharmonic Orchestra, which always plays in a packed auditorium.
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