RouteAnkara

Old Ankara: The Citadel Quarter, Ulus and Roman Ruins

The oldest layers of Ankara reveal Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history layered together. Walk the citadel walls, find the Column of Julian, browse the copper bazaar, and discover the ancient temple of Augustus hidden in the urban fabric.

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1
Temple of Augustus
The remarkably preserved walls of a Roman temple built in the 1st century BCE, later converted to a Byzantine church. The walls bear the Monumentum Ancyranum, a copy of Augustus own record of his achievements.
2
Column of Julian
A 15-meter Roman column erected to mark the visit of Emperor Julian to Ankara in 362 CE. It stands in the middle of a small square in Ulus, easy to miss but historically significant.
3
Copper Bazaar
A narrow lane below the citadel where coppersmiths still hammer out traditional vessels, trays and lamps. The rhythmic sound of metalwork fills the air in this surviving artisan quarter.
4
Ankara Citadel Inner Walls
The inner citadel contains a neighborhood of traditional houses built into and against the Byzantine walls. Wandering the lanes offers a sense of medieval urban life.
5
Ulus Square
The historic center of Ankara, dominated by a statue of Ataturk on horseback. Surrounded by government buildings, banks and shops, it connects the old city to the modern commercial center.
6
Hacibayram Mosque
Built alongside the Temple of Augustus in the 15th century, this Ottoman mosque incorporates stones from the Roman temple. The courtyard is a peaceful spot frequented by local worshippers.