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Ankara: Things To See & Do
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The Mausoleum of Ataturk (Anikabir)
This beautiful
structure, deliberately constructed to blend ancient and modern
architectural ideas, is the resting place of Kemal Ataturk, the founder
of the Republic of Turkey. In an adjacent museum are displays of some of
Ataturk's belongings, as well as an exhibition of his life and
achievements, and the founding of the Republic.
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The Ankara Citadel
Located on a high hilltop
looming over the old city, this amazing fortress was first
constructed in 200 BC by the Gaulish race of Galatians, and was later
modified by the Roman, Byzantines and other occupiers. The citadel
itself is open to exploration, while the area around it, being one of
the oldest quarters in Ankara, is filled with curious and ancient houses
and relicts, as well as shops, restaurants and other diversions.
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The Museum of
Anatolian Civilization (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi)
Situated near the the
entrance to the citadel and inside a charming covered bazaar, this museum
houses a fascinating collection of artifacts from the various civilizations
that have swept over this city - Hatti, Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, and
Roman, just to name a few.
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The Temple of Augustus
Built in the 2nd
Century BC and dedicated to the Roman Emperor Augustus, this temple is
important not only as the best preserved Roman relic in the city, but
also as the sole surviving "Political Testament of Augustus", a
statement inscribed on the walls of the temple in Latin and Greek, chronicling the
achievements of the Emperor during his reign.
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Kocatepe Mosque
This grand structure, built in
the late 20th century in the same mold as classical Ottoman mosques, bears
more than a passing resemblance to the Hagia Sophia, and is one of the
city's biggest landmarks, due to its size and significance. The mosque is
especially picturesque
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Shopping In the Old Quarter
In many ways, the Old Quarter of
Ankara is also the merchant's quarter, where visitors can find ancient shops
selling everything from textiles, leather goods and traditional handicrafts,
all the way to jewelry, spices and electronics, all for bargain prices -
particularly if you can bargain.
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Atakule Tower
Located in the trendy modern
shopping district of Cankaya, the tower offers the highest point in the
whole city, and correspondingly the best view of the city, especially from
the revolving restaurant at its summit.
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Disclaimer: While HolidayCity makes every
effort to ensure the information above is accurate, we cannot guarantee
that the information will not be changed by the the relevant authorities
responsible without notice. Please check with the relevant authorities
beforehand.
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