Ankara history

The history of Ankara is rooted in deep antiquity, dating back to the times of the Hittite Kingdom, when the settlement of Ankuwash presumably existed on this site. However, the foundation of the city in its modern sense is traditionally attributed to the Phrygian King Midas in the 8th-7th centuries BC. The city was named Ancyra, which translates from Greek as "anchor", a name it bore for many centuries.

Ankara owes much of its growth and significance to its strategic geographical location. The city was situated at the intersection of bustling trade routes linking Europe and Asia, including the famous Persian "Royal Road". This made it a vital military and commercial hub on the Anatolian plateau throughout its history.

Political power in the city changed hands repeatedly. After the Phrygians, it was ruled by the Lydians and Persians. In the 3rd century BC, the city became the capital of the Galatians, a Celtic tribe that arrived from Europe. In 25 BC, the Roman Emperor Augustus conquered Ankara and made it the capital of the province of Galatia, reinforcing its administrative importance. Later, the city was a significant centre of the Byzantine Empire, and from the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire, until it became the capital of modern Turkey on October 13, 1923.

Being at the crossroads of civilizations, the city absorbed a rich cultural heritage. During the Roman period, monumental structures were erected here, such as the Temple of Augustus and Rome and the Roman Baths, the ruins of which have survived to this day. Economically, the city flourished not only as a trade hub but also as a centre of craftsmanship. For centuries, it was known by the name Angora and was famous for the production of valuable Angora goat wool.

Key Milestones in Ankara's History

The history of Ankara is a kaleidoscope of civilizations, empires, and pivotal events that determined the fate of not only the city but the entire region. From an ancient fortress to a modern capital, each stage has left its mark on the appearance and character of this unique place.

• 8th–7th centuries BC — Foundation of the city under the name Ancyra (meaning "anchor") by the Phrygian King Midas, who, according to legend, made it his capital.
• 278 BC — The city becomes the centre of the Galatians — Celtic tribes who invaded Anatolia and established their state here.
• 25 BC — Ancyra becomes part of the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus and becomes the capital of the province of Galatia, transforming into a major administrative and trade centre.
• 395 AD — After the division of the Roman Empire, the city passes under Byzantine control and acquires strategic importance as a frontier fortress.
• 1073 — The Seljuk Turks conquer Ankara, marking the beginning of the Turkic period in the city's history.
• July 20, 1402 — The famous Battle of Ankara takes place at the city walls, in which the army of Emir Timur (Tamerlane) inflicts a crushing defeat on the troops of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I.
• 1403 — The city returns to Ottoman rule and for several centuries becomes an important, albeit provincial, trade centre known for the production of Angora wool.
• 1893 — The Anatolian Railway passes through Ankara, connecting it with Istanbul, which gives a new impetus to economic development.
• April 23, 1920 — The Grand National Assembly of Turkey gathers in Ankara led by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the city becomes the headquarters of the liberation movement.
• October 13, 1923 — Ankara is officially proclaimed the capital of the new Turkish Republic, becoming a turning point in its modern history.
• 1953 — Construction of Anıtkabir is completed, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, which becomes the main symbol of modern Ankara and a place of national pilgrimage.

Major Milestones in the City's Development

Ankara's path from an ancient fortress to a modern metropolis is marked by several key stages, each of which radically changed the economy, architecture, and lifestyle of the citizens. Here are the main moments that defined the capital's current appearance.

• Trade Crossroads of Civilizations. Located at the intersection of the Silk and Royal Roads, the city flourished for centuries as a vital logistics hub. This strategic position ensured the city's economic survival even during periods of imperial decline.
• Centre of Angora Wool Production (15th–19th centuries). For a long time, Ankara was the global monopoly in the production of mohair — the wool of Angora goats. The export of expensive fabrics to Europe formed a wealthy class of artisans and merchants, whose mansions still adorn the old city.
• Launch of the Railway (1892). The arrival of the Anatolian Railway, connecting the city to Istanbul, became a powerful driver for the economy. This allowed for increased trade turnover and prepared the infrastructure for the city's future strategic role.
• Acquiring Capital Status (1923). The proclamation of Ankara as the capital of the young republic of Turkey launched a process of massive urbanization. From a provincial town, it began to rapidly transform into the administrative and political heart of the nation, attracting the best minds and investments.
• Jansen's Urban Plan (1930s). The implementation of the master plan by German architect Hermann Jansen set a European vector for development. The appearance of wide boulevards, parks, and the Yenişehir ("New City") district became a symbol of modernization and a break with the past of chaotic development.
• Creation of an Educational and Cultural Hub (Mid-20th century). The founding of leading universities, the opening of the State Opera, and national museums turned the city of officials into an intellectual centre, shaping the country's cultural elite.
• Industrialization and Technological Breakthrough (Late 20th century). The development of organized industrial zones and technoparks, especially in the defence and aerospace sectors, brought the city's economy to a new level, making it a centre of high technology.
• Formation of a Business City (21st century). The construction of modern business districts with skyscrapers (for example, in the Söğütözü district) and the development of the transport network, including the metro, cemented the city's status as a modern financial and business hub of the region.

The architectural appearance of Ankara is a visual history of the transformation of an ancient Anatolian city into a modern capital. Here, Roman ruins coexist with Ottoman quarters, monumental buildings of the Republican era with futuristic skyscrapers, creating a unique and multi-layered urban landscape.

Ancient and Ottoman Heritage

The historical core of Ankara is centred around the ancient Citadel (Ankara Kalesi). Its walls, laid by the Romans and rebuilt many times by the Byzantines and Seljuks, preserve traces of different eras. Inside the fortress and in the adjacent Ulus district, traditional Ottoman houses have been preserved — two- and three-story structures with wooden frames and bay windows. This area still conveys the atmosphere of the old city with its narrow streets and artisan workshops. The Roman period is recalled by the ruins of the Temple of Augustus and Rome and the Column of Julian, testifying to the city's former importance as the centre of the Roman province of Galatia.

Birth of a Capital: The First National Architectural Style

With the proclamation of Ankara as the capital in 1923, the most massive stage of its urban development began. German architect Hermann Jansen was invited to create the look of the new political centre. His master plan (1928–1932) laid the foundations of the modern city: wide boulevards, such as Atatürk Boulevard, green zones, and clear functional zoning. The architecture of this period was dominated by the First National Architectural Style — a unique combination of neoclassicism with elements of Art Deco and traditional Seljuk and Ottoman motifs. Striking examples of this style are the old buildings of the Grand National Assembly, ministries, and banks in the Ulus and Kızılay districts.

Modernism and Monumentalism of the Mid-20th Century

After World War II, national romanticism was replaced by a more austere and functional international style. However, the main symbol of this era became Anıtkabir — the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the construction of which was completed in 1953. This monumental structure, designed by Emin Onat and Orhan Arda, represents an outstanding example of the so-called "Second National Architectural Movement". Its appearance combines the strict geometry of modernism with elements inspired by ancient Hittite and Anatolian architecture, symbolizing the continuity of the Turkish state's history.

Contemporary and Postmodern Architecture

Since the end of the 20th century, Ankara has been experiencing a new construction boom. Modern business districts appear, such as Söğütözü, with high-rise office buildings and shopping centres. Iconic objects of this period include the Atakule Tower (1989), which was the tallest structure in the city for a long time, and the Kocatepe Mosque (1987). The mosque is an interesting example of a blend of styles: its silhouette follows classical Ottoman canons, but it was built using modern reinforced concrete technologies. Recently, the modern architecture of Ankara from the 1920s–1970s was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, confirming its unique cultural value.

Distinguished Personalities in Ankara's History

Throughout its centuries-old history, Ankara has been the birthplace or place of activity for many iconic figures who left a mark on politics, culture, and public life. From mythical founders to modern artists — their names are inextricably linked with the fate of the city.

• King Midas (8th century BC) — The legendary Phrygian ruler whom tradition credits with the founding of Ankara under its ancient name Ancyra ("anchor"). Although his figure is considered semi-mythical, it symbolizes the city's ancient origins.
• Emperor Octavian Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD) — The first Roman Emperor, under whom Ancyra became the capital of the Roman province of Galatia. In his honour, the Temple of Augustus and Rome was erected in the city, on the walls of which the text of the "Res Gestae Divi Augusti" (Deeds of the Divine Augustus) has been preserved — one of the most important epigraphic monuments of the era.
• Hacı Bayram Veli (1352–1430) — An influential Sufi poet, saint, and founder of the Bayrami religious order. He was born in a village near Ankara, where he subsequently founded his lodge. His mosque and tomb in Ankara remain one of the city's main spiritual centres today.
• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938) — The founder and first president of the Turkish Republic. It was he who proclaimed Ankara the capital of the new state on October 13, 1923, transforming it from a provincial centre into a modern political and cultural metropolis. His mausoleum, Anıtkabir, is the main symbol of modern Ankara and a place of national reverence.
• Vehbi Koç (1901–1996) — One of Turkey's most prominent entrepreneurs and philanthropists, founder of the Koç Group holding. He began his business career with a small shop in Ankara in 1917, and it was here that he laid the foundations of his future industrial empire.
• Orhan Veli Kanık (1914–1950) — One of the most influential Turkish poets of the 20th century, founder of the "Garip" ("Strange") literary movement. He lived and worked in Ankara for a significant part of his life, where his innovative poetry, brought closer to the language of ordinary people, forever changed Turkish literature.
• Fazıl Say (born 1970) — A world-renowned Turkish pianist and composer born in Ankara. His work, combining classical music with elements of jazz and Turkish folklore, has received international acclaim. In one of his works, the cello sonata "Four Cities", he dedicated a separate movement to his hometown.