Ankara Castle
(Ankara Kalesi)
photography
When you are a volunteer you are never tired. Never tired of exploring new places, never tired of working, learning, walking, sightseeing, and of course never tired of shopping.
So, our first weekend as volunteers starts at Ankara Castle or most commonly known between the locals as Ankara Kalesi. İt certainly is a long walking distance from our appartment till we reach this marvellous mixture of Byzantine, Persian, Phrygian and Hittitean architecture, all present in one building, this Medieval castle which can be seen from far away while being in the bus, if you are going to Kecioren. İt is one of the oldest sights in the capital and mainly in Turkey, dating back from the Ottoman, Roman and Seljuk Empires.
I know it may seem boring for you reading about the history of this castle, but we learn more about a nation if we know more about its history and origins. So, let’s inform ourselves more. It is known that the exact date of the initial construction of the castle is unknown, but it is believed that was built by the Hittites – an ancient Empire rulling in Anatolia in 1600 BC, and it was under series of rennovations in the upcoming periods. 14-16 meters long walls are surrounding the castle, occupying a surface of 43 square kilometers. The highest point of the castle is Akkale or Alitaşı.
When you enter the inner part of the castle, you can have a nice view of Ankara. The whole city is in front of your eyes like a map, so instead using navigation, you can just visit the castle and you’ll know in which direction to go to see the other sights of the capital. The remains of the walls are a proof of the survival of the castle throughout the centuries and even though the outer wall survived certain damages, invasions, repairs and rennovations, the structure remained intact.
The houses that can be found on the way up to the castle are really beautiful. They are composed of wood, tile and mud brick, representing a traditional view in this part of the city. You can see the difference of the old and the modern Ankara by just going in this area. And if you are curious type of person about the tradition, culture and history, then this place is definitely the top choice.