Ankara's transformation is the most dazzling in Turkish history. A tranquil Anatolian town with a mere 30,000 people, it became the heart of a nation when Mustafa Kemal Atatürk declared it to be the capital city in 1923.
Ankara eventually grew to become the country's political center, hosting the first Grand National Assembly in 1920 amidst the War of Independence. It now possesses the central government buildings, embassies, universities, and institutions of culture, bringing together contemporary life with affluent historical roots that still shape it, making it a must-visit stop on your Turkey trip.
Ankara's deep history spans nearly 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest cities of Anatolia. Successive layers of ancient civilizations continue to shape its pulsating, living heritage.
Bronze Age excavations confirm human occupation of Ankara dating back to some 2000 BCE, and making it one of Anatolia's most ancient cities continuously inhabited. The city took on special importance in Phrygian times of the 10th century BCE when early signs of city expansion began to emerge. Linguistic and historical records credit ancient Ancyra's Greek name, which is "anchor," to the myth that the local people attribute to King Midas having discovered an ancient anchor at the site.
In the 3rd century BCE, the Galatian Celts, who had migrated from Europe, settled in Ancyra as their capital, a status it retained through centuries of political turmoil.
The Roman occupation of Galatia in 25 BCE ushered in Ancyra's golden age as a significant administrative and commercial hub. Under the reign of Emperor Augustus, the city experienced vast development of infrastructure, with temples, baths, theatres, and roads constructed. The Temple of Augustus and Roma, although partly preserved, is a significant historical site, renowned for its inscription of the Res Gestae Divi Augusti.
Under the Byzantine period, Ankara was a military and ecclesiastical base. Despite frequent Arab raids between the 7th and 9th centuries, the city was a consistent provincial stronghold up to the 11th century.
Seljuk Turks captured the city in 1073, marking the beginning of Turkish rule. The Seljuks revived the economy of Ankara, making it a hub of angora wool manufacturing, which was highly valued for its softness and quality. The famous citadel of the city was also extended during this period, using masonry from previous Roman and Byzantine buildings.
The Ottomans absorbed Ankara into their empire in the early 15th century. While still a significant wool-trading center, Ankara gradually lost its political standing and emerged as a quiet provincial town of some 30,000 by the 19th century.
Political calculations of extraordinary precision guided the selection of Ankara as Turkey's capital, marking a decisive departure from centuries of Ottoman precedent. The catastrophic defeat of the Ottoman Empire during World War I, coupled with the Allied occupation of Constantinople (modern Istanbul), pushed Turkish leaders to rethink how the country was governed and controlled.
Ankara’s central location in Anatolia made it ideal for military and government use. Being equally distant from many parts of Turkey helped leaders manage the country more easily. Its position away from the sea also made it safer from attacks, which was important after the hardships of the War of Independence.
Choosing Ankara over Istanbul also carried symbolic meaning. Istanbul represented the old Ottoman Empire, while Ankara stood for a fresh start. Its location made it harder for foreign powers to influence, offering a safe base to build a new government.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk made Ankara the center of the national resistance in 1920. This was more than a military move—it reflected his goal to break away from the Ottoman past. Moving the capital to Ankara symbolized a new era focused on independence and modern reforms. The city was designed to be practical and efficient, with wide roads and modern planning to reflect the values of the new republic.
On October 13, 1923, Ankara was officially named the capital of Turkey—just days before the Republic of Turkey was founded on October 29. This decision led to rapid growth. The population grew from about 35,000 in 1924 to nearly 287,000 by 1950. Making Ankara the capital helped speed up Turkey’s modernization. New buildings, roads, and schools were built, turning it into a hub of politics and identity for the new nation.
Contemporary Ankara represents its status as capital in a multifaceted nexus of governmental authority, infrastructural complexity, and intellectual superiority that defines Turkey's capital city.
As the capital of Turkey, Ankara houses all government ministries, including Foreign Affairs, Justice, Health, and Finance. All these ministries manage the policies of the country from Ankara's central government district. Ankara also hosts 139 foreign embassies, making it a center for global diplomacy. Ankara's status was further elevated by the establishment of a Program Office by the Council of Europe in the city in 2004, cementing its importance in international and European affairs.
Ankara continues to grow via well-planned urban development. It's a key part of the Istanbul-Ankara economic corridor, a significant road that serves over 32 million residents. The city has advanced transport links like the high-speed rail from Sincan to Eskişehir spanning 254 km.
Political supremacy represents one part of the multifaceted identity of Ankara, as beneath the machinery of government is a cultural sphere that magnificently weaves together ancient Anatolian heritage with vibrant contemporary Turkish expression.
Archaeological artefacts and artwork find their most prominent sanctuary in the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, lovingly housed within the walls of a restored 15th-century Ottoman bedesten. This world-class collection chronicles human achievement over thousands of years, showcasing artefacts that span from Paleolithic settlements through to the pinnacle of Roman imperial dominance. A highlight on any Turkey tour, the museum earned the prestigious “European Museum of the Year” award in 1997.
Looming over Ankara, the massive Ankara Citadel impresses visitors with its powerful medieval fortifications and walls over 15 meters high, bearing witness to centuries of guileful military engineering.
Anitkabir transcends conventional memorial architecture, functioning simultaneously as a sacred mausoleum and meticulous museum containing Atatürk's personal effects within breathtaking marble halls lined with artistic galleries. The cultural topography of the city extends further through the likes of the Ethnography Museum and the breathtaking Rahmi M. Koç Museum.
Culinary traditions reaffirm Ankara's distinct culinary identity through the years with age-old specialties that have been officially recognized. Ankara tava makes special mention, having received geographical indication recognition in 2017 for its precise combination of orzo pasta with lamb cooked to tenderness, aromatic tomato sauce, and soft spices mixed in careful proportion.
Kokoreç is another highly celebrated street food tradition that consists of skillfully seasoned lamb intestines and sweetbreads that are taken to perfection with charcoal grilling techniques.
Establishments like Ankara Tava perpetuate these culinary legacies, serving the eponymous dish that historically graced ceremonial occasions including weddings and funeral commemorations. Sophisticated dining experiences emerge at venues such as Trilye, where exceptional seafood preparations complement an array of traditional Turkish confections.
Ankara's cultural calendar reflects spectacular artistic vibrancy along the path of the seasonal cycle. The promising Ankara International Film Festival with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism attracts selective cinema enthusiasts with higher quality screening events. Festivals of music and theater contribute to the cultural richness of the city. The district of Kızılay is the hub of nocturnal entertainment, where student-infested establishments like Biber provide affordable drinks with live music shows.
The capital of Turkey today is Ankara, serving as the country’s political and administrative center since 1923.
Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is known for its government institutions, historic sites like the Ankara Citadel, and Atatürk’s mausoleum, Anıtkabir.
In Ankara, top attractions include visiting Anıtkabir, exploring the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, strolling through the old citadel, and enjoying vibrant local cafés and art galleries.
An interesting fact about Ankara is that it became the capital of Turkey in 1923, replacing Istanbul to symbolize a break from Ottoman tradition and embrace a new republican identity.