Natural Symbols of Ankara
Ankara is a city which is rich in terms of
having plant and animal species special to
itself. Ankara goat which is original to the
city was brought to Anatolian soil bu Turks in
the 13th century and adapted itself to the arid
soil and climate of Central Anatolia. Angora
wool which is named as Mohair in many
countries is produced from these goats. Due
to this reason Mohair Goat is known under the
name of Ankara (Angora) Goat in the World.
Although, it is raised almost in all provinces
of Ankara, they are mostly common in Ayaş,
Beypazarı, Güdül and Nallıhan provinces.
Its wool is included in the “special animal
fibre”. With the arrival of Ankara Goat to the
Anatolian soil, production of very famous
Turkish fabric named “Sof” started in Ankara
and its environs and it was sold to all trade
centers from the bazaar at the Mahmut Pasha
Covered Turkish Bazaar which is one of the
buildings which is currently used as the
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Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Animal
species which can be accepted as the second
natural symbol of the city is Ankara (Angora)
Cat which is a natural and pure cat species
originated from Ankara. These cats having
silky and medium size hair and has a fine
long body have small or medium size head
and their noise parts are rectangular pointed,
large and wide-set. The eyes are almond
shaped and the profile forms two straight
planes and they are usually green, yellow,
copper or blue. Although, they have different
colors, they are known for a shimmery white
coats. Hunting skills of these delicate cats are
not developed well.
The Ankara (Angora) Rabbit which is orig-
inated from Ankara although it is raised in
many different countries, has a short neck,
round head and its ears covered with short
and thin coat are pointed and apart from each
other. Eyes of these white coated rabbits are
red. Ankara rabbit is famous with its long –
reaching almost 40 centimeters, fine, soft and
bright coat which is suitable for weaving. They
are sheared when they became two or three
months old and an Angora rabbit produces
average of one kilogram of wool every year.
Angora wool which is light and available for
keeping warm is a very precious industrial ma-
terial as it does not cause allergies.
Gölbaşı Love Flower (Centaurea
Tchihatcheffii)which is among the original
plants of our region was found by Hippocrates
and took its name from mythological creature,
the Centaur. Colloquially called as Red
Centaurea, Iridescent, and Bride Button,
this plant has red, purple and pink flowers.
According to the legend, it blossoms every
spring as a grieve to the situation of two
young lovers whose relation is impossible
and tells the story of this desperate love
with its different colors. They usually raise
at the East part of Mogan Lake. This species
is endangered due to excessive collecting,
fatal effect of pesticides, afforestration and
construction activities. The Ankara (Angora)
Crocus which is accepted as the herald of
spring, is another plant special to the region
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