Ankara Trip Planning & Itineraries

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When Atatürk moved the Turkish capital from İstanbul to Ankara in 1923 he turned his back on the Bosporus, the spectacular Ottoman mosques and the Topkapij Palace. Modern Ankara has its inviting quarters - most notably the citadel area, which gets better by the year - but in the eyes of most visitors it will always play second fiddle to İstanbul.

Originally called Angora, Ankara once flourished on the trade in the fine, soft hair of Angora goats. Today, its prime concern is government - its a city of ministries, embassies, universities, medical centers and some light industry.

Ankara History Lesson

The outline of the huge Kocatepe Camii in Kijzijlay is now the symbol of Ankara. It may be one of the largest mosques in the world but it is also very new. However, Ankara does still have one or two older mosques, and the relics in the Ethnography Museums are poignant reminders of others that have long since disappeared.

Ankara's most revered mosque is Hacij Bayram Camii, near the Temple of Augustus & Rome. Hacij Bayram Veli was a Muslim 'saint' who founded the Bayramiye dervish order around 1400. Ankara was the order's center and Hacij Bayram Veli is still revered by pious Muslims.