Archaeological and Historical Sites

Prepared by: Simge Akkaş, Yağmur Saygılı and Elif Yazıcı Gümüşbıçak
Photos: Cem Gültekin

Ankara has many museums such as the Ethnography Museum, Rahmi Koç Museum, Cin Ali Museum and Kelime Museum, which are very enjoyable to visit. So much so that we had a hard time fitting the ones we thought were important into this list. In this list, you will find a brief overview of Ankara's multidimensional heritage from prehistoric times to the present day.

Hajji Bayram Veli Mosque and Complex

The construction of the mosque and complex in Hacı Bayram Square, which is considered sacred since the Phrygian period and is thought to have previously housed a temple dedicated to Cybele and Men, dates back to 1427-28. The building is dedicated to Hacı Bayram Veli, who lived in Ankara between 1352-1429, and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2016. The mosque and the complex were built to the southwest of the Temple of Augustus, also located in this square, without damaging the temple. The Hacı Bayram Veli Mosque and Complex is still a popular place of worship and a must-see in Ankara.

Roman Bath Archaeological Site

The Roman Bath Archaeological Site is located in a central area of the city, about 400 m from Ulus Square. The Roman Bath, one of the most important structures among the finds of the ruins, was built by the Roman Emperor Caracalla, the son of Septimus Severus, in the III century in the name of Asclepion, the God of Health. Among the finds, which are a mound, there are Roman, partly Byzantine, Seljuk and Phrygian period settlements. The archaeological site includes a bathhouse, an area known as Palaestra, where physical training and wrestling took place, and many inscribed columns.

Temple of Augustus

Like the mosque and the social complex, the Temple of Augustus is located in Hacı Bayram Square in Ulus, which has been considered sacred since the Phrygian period. The temple was built on the occasion of Galatia joining the Roman Empire and Ankara becoming the provincial center, and the structure was dedicated to Emperor Augustus and the Goddess Roma. It was used as a church during the Byzantine period and as a madrasah during the early Ottoman period. On one wall of the temple there is a fully preserved copy of the inscription “Monumentum Ancyranum”, which describes the life and achievements of Augustus from his own mouth. In 2002, the Temple of Augustus was included in the World Monuments Fund's list of "100 Monuments to be Protected in the World".

Ankara Castle

The walls of Ankara Castle, located on a high hill in Ulus, took their current shape during the Roman period in the 4th-5th centuries AD and the castle became the city center during this period. The findings of the first settlements around the castle belong to the Galatians period in the 3rd century BC and it is known that gathering materials was used in its construction from the beginning until today. The area around the castle is characterized by traditional Ankara houses reflecting Ottoman architecture and lively shops. If you see one of the boutique bakeries in this area during your visit, we recommend you taste Ankara bagel, one of the most famous foods of Ankara. Today, the Castle is no longer a city center, but thanks to centuries of historical mosaic and accumulation, the Castle makes visitors feel like they are in a time capsule.

The Ancient City of Gordion

The ancient city of Gordion, about 20 km from Polatlı district, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023 and is the only region of Ankara on this list. Gordion, one of the most important ancient cities in Central Anatolia, is thought to have been settled in 2500 BC. Considering that settlement continues almost without interruption at Yassıhöyük, right next to Gordion, this makes it one of the longest inhabited sites in the world. Gordion is also considered one of the best documented ancient cities of Phrygia from the reign of King Midas. Surrounded by many tumuli, Gordion's wooden burial chambers that have survived to the present day are worth seeing.