City Plan Ankara Turkey

Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, has a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. The city has been inhabited by various civilizations, each of which has left its mark on its culture and architecture. Here’s a brief overview of the history of Ankara:

1. Ancient Period:
   • Ankara’s history dates back to the Bronze Age, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
   • The city was known as Ancyra in antiquity and was initially founded by the Hittites around 1200 BC.
   • It later became a Phrygian city and was named Gordium, known for the legendary “Gordian Knot” associated with Alexander the Great.
2. Roman and Byzantine Era:
   • In the 3rd century BC, Ancyra became part of the Roman Empire and was renamed Ancyra.
   • During this period, the city thrived as a regional administrative and trade center.
   • Ancyra was known for its Temple of Augustus and the Monumentum Ancyranum, a famous inscription that detailed the achievements of Emperor Augustus.
3. Medieval Period:
   • In the 7th century AD, Ankara was captured by the Arabs and later by the Byzantines.
   • It was a battleground in the Arab-Byzantine wars.
   • In 1071, the Battle of Manzikert took place near Ankara, leading to the Seljuk Turks’ conquest of Anatolia.
4. Seljuk and Ottoman Period:
   • In the 12th century, the Seljuk Turks made Ankara an important trade and cultural center.
   • The city changed hands several times between the Seljuks and the Crusaders.
   • In the early 14th century, the city was captured by the Ottomans and became part of the expanding Ottoman Empire.
5. Modern Era:
   • After World War I and the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Ankara was chosen as the capital of the newly established Republic of Turkey in 1923.
   • The city underwent significant development and urbanization during the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
   • Ankara’s transformation into a modern capital city involved the construction of government buildings, universities, and infrastructure.

Today, Ankara is a dynamic and bustling city, known for its government institutions, universities, and cultural heritage. The historical remnants of the city’s past can still be explored, including Roman ruins, Byzantine-era churches, and Ottoman-era architecture. The city serves as a symbol of Turkey’s modernization and progress while retaining a connection to its ancient roots.