Ankara International Airport
Geography pop quiz! Quick, what’s the capital of Turkey? Easy answer, right? Most people would get it wrong. The capital is not Istanbul (or Constantinople). Instead it is the city of Ankara, in central Turkey that takes the title.
Ankara’s history, like so many places in Turkey, is an ancient one. But it was never a vital city. Sure, around 2,000 years ago the city’s population was an estimated 200,000, but they were mostly traders, not scholars or politicians. But in the 1920′s, as allied forces occupied most of western Turkey, including the then capital Istanbul, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk moved his centre of operations to the more centrally located Ankara. With Independence in 1923, Ankara was declared the official capital of the new Turkish Republic. At the time the population was only around 70,000, but since then it has exploded into a city of just under 4,000,000 today. But just because it’s a political and administrative capital, doesn’t mean that it’s boring.
Swissotel, Ankara
Swissotel, Ankara
Swissotel, Ankara
Swissotel, Ankara
Swissotel, Ankara
As I travel i do my best to take in the sights, meet new people and try local foods. But sometimes it’s just not possible for me to give the time and attention to a place that i might deserve. Ankara was an example of this type of visit. Ankara was one of my many destinations i had to cover throughout this trip. I had little time to settle down upon arrival in Ankara. I was glad that my accommodation was upgraded to 5-star Swissotel in Ankara at no extra cost. I had a great rest before exploring Ankara the following day.
My first destination was Anitkabir or also known as Ataturk Mausoleum. It was a wonderful mausoleum for the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kamal Ataturk. The sight was almost a place of pilgrimage for Turkish nationalists. On any given day, you’re almost guaranteed to see countless school groups making their way through the museums to the man’s life and death. The image of the former president can be seen everywhere in Turkey. Post office walls, bazaar stall posters and even the money grace his likeness. He is held in the highest respect by the entire nation (well most people anyway). And his mausoleum reflects this admiration. From the gleaming marble to the honour guard to the prominent location in the city, everything about the place screams respect. While it might not have tremendous significance to the average traveller, it is certainly not a place to be missed in Ankara. And it’s a pretty good reason just to come to the capital in the first place.
Anitkabir (Ataturk Mausoleum). Created in memory of the father of Turkey, Mustafa Kamal Atatürk
Ataturk Mausoleum
There are some highly rated museums in the city, like the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which i fancied very much. Ankara Citadel stand proudly overlooking the city, i visited, but on a crappy day in low light (so no good pictures). Temples, ancient baths, massive mosques, great shopping, the list goes on and on of the things i just didn’t have the time to see. I swear that at some point I’ll have to go back to Ankara and give the city the time it deserves. It just wasn’t this time.
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
I flew in to Ankara from Doha via Qatar Airways. It was the most convenient and cost effective way for a Malaysian to get in to Ankara and Turkey in general. In the immortal words of one of the greatest cinematic geniuses of our time, Ankara “I’ll be back!” Next stop…CAPPADOCIA. Check out my next blog post soon.
Ankara Gar (Ankara Train Station)
