Kocatepe Mosque
East and west fuse together perfectly in Turkey's capital city
of Ankara, where shades of the mystical east and ancient
civilisations lie partially hidden among 20th-century office
buildings, shopping malls and government offices. The city is
imbued with the spirit of modernity and youth, this being a student
town filled with language schools, universities, colleges and
military bases. It also has a vast ex-pat community (most of it
diplomatic), which adds to the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Situated on a rocky hill in the dry, barren region of Anatolia,
this humming city can trace its history back to the bronze age, and
has been a part of historic events through several great
civilisations, including the Phrygians, Lydians, Persians, Greek,
Romans, Galatians and Ottomans. Alexander the Great was one of the
conquerors who stayed in the city for a while, and today's tourists
are spoilt for choice when it comes to unearthing the city's
historic attractions.
With a population of well over four million, Ankara is a
deserving capital city, aptly named as the 'anchor' of Turkey,
perhaps not always sought after by tourists but certainly
entertaining hordes of business travellers and those seriously
intrigued with ancient history.
The old heart of the city (Ulus) is centred on an ancient
citadel on a hilltop, where many historic buildings have been
restored, many having been turned into restaurants serving
traditional Turkish cuisine. In this area there are several Roman
archaeological sites, and narrow alleys shelter shops selling
eastern delights like leather, carpets, copper, spices and
jewellery. From the heart outwards, the city spreads across various
hills in modern splendour, carefully planned by the city fathers
after Turkey's independence fighter, Ataturk, set up provisional
government in what was just a small dusty town back in 1920, after
the first World War. Ataturk brought in European urban planners to
create his proclaimed capital, and he lies here today in his lofty
mausoleum, the Anitkabir, in a green 'peace' park, amid the wide
boulevards he created.
Apart from archaeological sites, the most interesting things to
see in Ankara are the many museums, and the beautiful parks, like
Kugulu Park, renowned for its graceful swans, and the Genclik Park
with its rowing pond and botanical garden.
