Ankara

The history of Ankara can be traced as far back as the Hattic civilization of the Bronze Age. The region came under the control of the Hittites who were then followed by the Phrygians, Lydians and Persians. The Galatians, a Celtic race, arrived in the 3rd century BC and made Ankara their capital. Ankara truly began to emerge under the leadership of Atatürk, a revolutionary statesman, during the national resistance following the First World War and was declared the capital of the new Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Museum of Anatolian Civilization

Ankara’s Museum of Anatolian Civilizations exhibits stunning findings from Anatolia’s most important archaeological sites and provides a comprehensive view of Türkiye’s ancient past. It has eight distinct sections, following a chronological order, filled with precious artifacts that shed light on Türkiye’s ancient history. It features findings from the Paleolithic Age (before 8000 B.C.), including stone and bone tools used by cave-dwelling hunter and gatherer communities. Neolithic Age (8000–5500 B.C) artefacts display the beginning of food production and settlements by the communities that lived in the era. Among the objects are sculptures of mother goddesses, stamps, earthenware, and tools made of bone.

Ataturk Mausoleum 

Also known as Anıtkabir, this is an imposing mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, completed in 1953. He died in 1938. Inside is a large collection of Ataturk memorabilia and artifacts. Turks have great respect for Ataturk and millions visit the mausoleum each year. Anıtkabir literally means "memorial tomb”. It is also the site of the final resting place of İsmet İnonu, the second President of Turkey. In addition to the mausoleum, there are an extensive museum and exhibition rooms displaying Ataturk's state carriages and cars.