Monument sights in Turkey
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A
Anıt Kabir
The monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938), the founder of modern Turkey, is worth a visit to see how much sway he still holds over the Turkish people. Located high above the city, with an abundance of marble and an air of veneration, the Anıt Kabir is one of Ankara's more relaxing areas. As you approach the tomb, the Hurriyet Kulesi (Tower of Liberty) has interpretive panels and photos covering Atatürk's funeral, the construction of the tomb and the iconography of the site. Facing it, the İstiklal Kulesi (Tower of Independence) gives more detail, with models recreating scenes.
Continue along the Lion Rd, a 262m walkway lined with 24 lion statues –…
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B
Çemberlitaş
Close to the Çemberlitaş tram stop, in a plaza packed with pigeons, you’ll find one of the city’s most ancient and revered monuments: a derelict column known as Çemberlitaş (also known as the Hooped, Banded Stone or Burnt Column). Erected by Constantine to celebrate the dedication of Constantinople as capital of the Roman Empire in 330, the column was placed in what was the grand Forum of Constantine and was topped by a statue of the great emperor himself. The column lost its crowning statue of Constantine in 1106 and was damaged in the 1779 fire that ravaged the nearby Grand Bazaar. It was covered in hoardings at the time of research (and had been for many years), but re…
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Atakule
Ankara's landmark tower, the Atakule, has a revolving restaurant (mains TL16 to TL26) for 360-degree views; making a reservation exempts you from the admission fee. Shooting to the top in the glass lift is the hairiest part of the experience. There is a cinema in the mall at the bottom. Get here on Atakule- and Çankaya-bound buses down Atatürk Bulvarı.
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Frontinus Street
Turn right towards the northern exit of Hierapolis and you'll come to the remains of the marvellous colonnaded Frontinus Street, with some of its paving and columns still intact. Once the city's main north-south commercial axis, this street was bounded at both ends by monumental archways.
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C
Statue of Cezayirli Gazi Hasan Paşa
Facing İskele Meydanı, with its back to the fortress, is a statue of this great Ottoman admiral (1714–90), who was sold into slavery but became a grand vizier. He is shown accompanied by a lion; he famously brought one to Turkey from Africa.
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D
Hadriyanüs Kapısı
Down Atatürk Caddesi is the monumental marble Hadriyanüs Kapısı, erected during the Roman emperor Hadrian's reign (AD 117-38). It leads into Kaleiçi.
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E
Fountain of Trajan
Further up Curetes Way on the left is the Fountain of Trajan. Of the huge statue of the emperor (AD 98-117) that used to tower above the pool, only one foot now remains.
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WWI Cannons
The inscription on this monument reads: 'Mehmets (Turkish soldiers) used these cannons on 18 March 1915 to ensure the impassability of the Çanakkale Strait'.
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F
Trojan Horse
Along the waterfront promenade north of the main ferry pier, don't be surprised to see this much-larger-than-life model, as seen in the movie Troy (2004). The model of the ancient city and information displays beneath it are better than anything you'll find at Troy.
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G
Column of Julian
Erected in honour of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate's visit to Ankara. In a square ringed by government buildings, it is usually topped by a stork's nest.
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H
Çanakkale Pot
Behind the WWI cannons is an oversized copy of this 19th-century style of pot, which is slowly regaining popularity.
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