Ankara Hotels Guide - Ankara Hotels List

ANKARA CITY

Ankara is the city that was the heart of the National War of Independence.The city lies in the center of Anatolia along high Anatolian Plateu, at an altitude of 850 m.Ankara has borders with Cankiri and Bolu to the north, Eskisehir to the west, Konya and Aksaray to the south, and Kirikkale and Kirsehir to the east.

According to some research related to the history of Ankara, The history dates back to the Bronze Age, Hatti Civilization.After that the Galatians, a Celtic came to Ankara and made it first their capital.( 3rd century BC).It was called as Ancyra then which means anchor.Hiitites had concede some archeological remains.One of them is situated in the middle of Ankara called hittite statue.The town succesively was invaded by Romans, Byzatines and Seljuks by Alparslan in 1073 and then the Ottomans by sultan Yildirim Beyazit in 1402 who gained accendancy over Ankara till the first World War.

Once upon a time, Ankara was a significant trading center on the caravan route to the east in 10th century.After the War of Liberation, the city had gained the importance with the help of Ataturk. the city had an important role in the war and has a strategic position ; as a result, it was declared the capital of the new Turkish Rebuplic on the 13th October, 1923.

When you enter the city, the most interesting thing is the Anitkabir (Mausoleum), built for Ataturk.The Mausoleum was completed in 1953.In the same year, Ataturk was moved to Anitkabir with a great ceremony, his eternal place of rest.You can see the success of Turkish architecture inside it containing a fusion.You will see a very wide belongings of Ataturk in the museum which includes writings, letters and items, photographs related to important moments in his life and the establishment of the republic.At current days, there is an important exhibition of War of Liberation opening to public.You can go Anitkabir everyday except Mondays.If you come in summer you will have a surprise that a light and sound show is awaiting for you.

Ankara has many historical sites worth to see.We definetely recommended you to visit the museum of Anatolian civilizations which is close to the citadel gate.It was an Ottoman bedesten that had been restored and has sheltered a rich collection including Paleolitic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian, Urartian and Roman works.It is oe of the richest museums in Turkey.This marvellous museum gathered the `European Museum of the Year` award among 65 museums from 21 European countires.If you come in Summer, the museum opens everyday.

There is another museum opposite the Opera House on Talat Pasa Boulevard in Namazgah district is the Ethnographical Museum.The museum consists of a wide range of folkloric artifacts, rugs from Seljuk and Ottoman mosques since 1930.Ataturk`s mousoleum was once here in the internal courtyard till the construction of his Mausoleum in 1953.An Italien artist made the bronze statue of Ataturk on the horse in front of the museum in 1927.

Don`t forget to Ankara Citadel which is rising on top of a hill that dominates Ankara.The Citadel was once built by the Celtsin 3rd century B.C.There is an important point about the citadel is that the walls of the citadel which has two sections -the inner and outer ones- are made of Ankara stone.The Citadel gained its present appearance from Seljuks.

When you go Ulus which is famous for its historical sites, you should visit the Temple of Augustus building in a Corinthian style.The history of the temple goes back to 1st century BC and the emperor Augustus at the beginning of the 1st century AD.The importance of it because of the `Monument Ancyranum` or `Res gestae Divi Augusti` the political success of Augustis which is written on its walls in both Latin and Greek.This tablet is the same as the originla one that was caved on two bronze stones and located at the entrance of the Mausoleum in Rome.Altough the originals are vanished, the copy one is still in Ankara. After the fifth century the temple was used a church .

If you go Cankiri Avenue in Ulus, you have a chance to visit The Roman Bath which is a typical Roman Bath including 3 sections: a frigidarium (cold section), tepedarium (cool section), caldarium (hot section).Ankara is a very cold city in winters so the hot and warm rooms were wider divisions.The construction of the bath was at the time of the Emperor Caracalla in the third century AD in honor of the god of medicine, Asclepios.The size was 80x130 m.Stones and bricks wer used to built the bath; however, the first floor and the basement can only be seen in current days.

During your visit Ulus, You must see The Column of Julian which was built in 362 AD for Roman Emperor Julian .The column is fifteen meters high with a leaf decoration on the capital.It` s an interesting place to visit.

Ulus district is very rich in historical sights and available for sightseeing.There is another place that we have to mention is Haci Bayram Mosque located next to the Temple of Augustus.It was erected in the early 15h century and Mimar Sinan who is the greatest architecture of Turks restored the Mosgue in 16th century with Kutahya tiles being added in the 18th century.Haci Bayram Veli`s tomb is situated near the mosque so the mosque was constructed in honor of Haci Bayram Veli.

Besides Haci Bayram Veli Mosque, Kocatepe Mosque that is the largest mosque in Ankara is a place that you should visit, built between 1967 and 1987.

We definetly recommend you a visit to Rahmi Koc Industrial Museum which was opened in April 2005 in a historical building that is 500 year old.It`s called Cengelhan was built by Rustempasa, the husband of Mihrimah Sultan and son-in-law of Suleyman The Magnificient in the mid-16th century.This building was once a caravanserai where travellers stay and you could supply for tradesman.It now converted into a museum which has still its original architecture.Istanbul Rahmi Koc Museum contains full-size scale models which reflect early industry.When you finish your visit in Rahmi Koc Museum, we advise you to relax in either the Divan Cafe or the sophisticated Divan Brasserie courtyard.

It`s also possible to see Brasserie in the museum cortyard accompanied by classic cars from 1900s.

Ankara is a student town filled with language schools, universities, colleges and military bases.The city also has a vast ex-pat community (most of it diplomatic), that adds to the cosmopolitan atmosphere.It has a population of four million.It`s a suitable place for those seriously intrigued with ancient history and business travellers.

You can join city tours around Ankara and Cappadocia.You can apply Icem Tour for a better sightseeing.

Besides its historical sites, the most interseting places to see in Ankara are the beautiful parks, like Kugulu Park, renowed for its graceful swans, and the Genclik Park with its rowing pond and botanical garden.

Ankara is not only the capital of Turkey but also the capital of culture and art.The theater, opera, ballet, modern dance, classical and pop music performances shall color the city life.There are numerous festivals which brighten Ankara such as international art, music, film and children`s festivals.In those days, Ankara is more crowded and as a result it`s difficult to find a place in Ankara Hotels.We advise yo to make your hotel reservation before your visit.Icem Tour will supply a comfortable and pleasant hotels for you.Some of Ankara hotels where youcan have a good accomadation are:Hiltonsa Hotel, Dedeman Hotel, Surmeli Hotel, Aktif Metropolitan Hotel, Anit Park Hotel, Ankara Plaza Hotel, Mola Hotel, Ilci Residence Hotel.You will feel as comfortable as your home in these Ankara Hotels.

When you visit Ankara, you can do shoppping in the Cikrikcilar Street and the Bakircilar Street Market which are old and charming areas where you can find a wide range of copper, brass souvenirs.Moreover, you can do shooping in other areas such as the Kizilay district, Tunali Hilmi Avenue, Atakule Mall at Cankaya, Karum Mall at Kavaklidere, Ankuva Mall at Bilkent and Galleria Mall at Canyolu.

Atakule is a place worth to see.A panaromic view of Ankara can be seen from Atakule which is a tower 125 m high including a revolving restaurant, a cafe and an observation terrace.

It`s possible to get to any point from Ankara by bus.The International Esenboga Airpot is 30 km away from the city center.Icem Travel Agency provides private transportation from airport to your hotels.You can also reach Ankara by train from Istanbul, Izmir, Balikesir, Isparta, Burdur, Zonguldak, Adana, Elazig, Diyarbakir.Ankara is not far away from your dreams and awaiting for your visit...Why don`t you come and see one of the most beauitiful cities of Turkey:)