Ankara
Despite the unattractive and austere appearance of the Turkish capital, Ankara has a long memory! Today a modern city, the Turkish capital has its origins in a distant past: Romans, Hittites, Persians, Byzantines, Ottomans, then capital of the Turkish Republic, Ankara can boast a very exciting history!
In the modern city you will find government and state buildings, large universities, military bases, consulates and of course Genclik Park, the oldest park in the city. Don't miss its vibrant nightlife!
Located in the centre of Turkey, in the Anatolian plateau, it is home to almost 3 million people. Amongst the remains of its past, the ancient city has preserved a Byzantine citadel on top of a hill overlooking the city, as well as the ruins of Roman buildings.
But it must be said that the goal of pilgrimages to Ankara is to visit the mausoleum of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses a collection of prehistoric art unique in the world.
Ankara has been the country's capital since 1923 and has grown from a small old town into a huge metropolis with 3.5 million inhabitants.
Ankara does not have the tourist aura of Istanbul or the seaside resorts of the south, Bordum, Antalya... However, the capital is still worth a stop, even if it is only a short one, because it represents an important facet of modern Turkey: the mausoleum of Atatürk is worth the diversions alone, because it is there that the founder of modern Turkey rests.
It is therefore a pity that Ankara is missing from the programme of so many trips to Turkey: from Istanbul, by bus or car, or on the road to Cappadocia, it is not difficult to include the Turkish capital in your itinerary.
So don't hesitate to spend some time in Turkey's capital and discover its special charm!
