Ankara Kalesi
The imposing citadel of Ankara is perched on a hill high above the city. It takes its visitors on a fascinating journey into history. Many peoples such as the Hittites, the Romans and the Galatians have left their mark.
History of the Citadel
In the 2nd millennium BC, the Ankara Kalesi - the citadel of Ankara - was built by the Hittites as a military garrison, but it was completed by the Romans. The castle was used by different peoples in the course of time. In 278 BC, the Galatians came to Anatolia and made Ankara their capital. They divided the citadel into two parts, the inner and outer city. After extensive extensions, a second wall was built around the outer city. Of its 20 towers, only a few remain. The walls of the inner city, however, are almost complete.
Attraction in the old town
Today, the citadel is a historical attraction in the old town and delights its visitors with the magnificent view from the observation towers in the fortification wall. Inside the building there are numerous carpet sellers and antique dealers. The former horse market now sells aromatic smelling spices. The gate to the outer castle is marked by a clock tower. The inner castle can be reached through an angular gate. There is a link between the upper and lower walls called the Sark Kale. Visitors can climb it to overlook the whole city. The inner wall consists of 42 towers, it ends with the Ak Kale, the White Castle.
