Gölbaşı Love Flower

Gölbaşı love flower or scientifically Centaurea tchihatcheffii is an endemic species of Turkey belonging to Asteraceae family’s genus of Centaurea. Gölbaşı love flower, which grows only in Gölbaşı district of Ankara and is endangered according to the criteria of the World Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is named after Centaur, a mythological creature proposed by Hippocrates. The annual herbaceous plant, has purple, red and pink colours. It is included in the “Definitely Protected Plant Species” list according to the IUCN and Bern Convention (Convention on the Conservation of Europe’s Wildlife and Habitat). Also known as Red Cornflower, Iridescent and Bridal Button, the plant blooms in red, purple, and pink. The flowering period of the plant starts the last week of April and continues until the first week of July. It spends the remaining 9 months in the seed stage. The root of the flower is 4 to 21 centimetres long and has a taproot structure. The plant has thin long side branches, and the body of the plant is between 4 and 50 centimetres tall. According to the legend, Gölbaşı love flower feels sorry for two lovers madly in love but unable to get together. The plant tells us the story of the lovers through its various colours. With its iridescent flower, the corrugation of its leaves, and its ability to reflect light, it has some unique features not seen in other Centaurea species. While it has bright red flowers when it is young, its flowers fade and turn light pink during maturity. The plant mostly grows on the east bank of Lake Mogan. Thoughtless plucking, exposure to pesticides, afforestation and construction activities are the factors that threaten this species. Protected by the Gölbaşı Municipality, the plant is grown in special protection areas in Gölbaşı district. In addition, this flower species is protected within the scope of the Gölbaşı SEPA, the Love Flower Conservation and Monitoring Project under the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Eğriova Pond

Eğriova Pond, located 24 km from the town of Karaşar in the Beypazarı district, is accessible via an unpaved road. It can also be reached through forest roads from the Benli Plateau in Çamlıdere. Recreational angling is permitted at the pond situated on the Eğriova Plateau

Kuğulu Park

Located between Tunalı Hilmi Street, Atatürk Boulevard and Polonya Street, Kuğulu Park is one of the symbols of Ankara and covers an area of approximately 8.000 metre squares. It is one of the oldest parks in Ankara and serves the public as a beautiful park in the centre of the city with its swanfilled pool, resting and sitting areas and playgrounds. There are embassies, cinemas, theatres, and restaurants around the park.

Girl's Hill Natural Monument

Kız Tepesi, designated as a natural monument in 2019, is located within the Davutoğlan Bird Sanctuary in the district of Nallıhan. The area, which is also very close to Juliopolis, is situated at the northwestern end of the Sarıyar Reservoir Lake. Located near Çayırhan Neighborhood, Kız Tepesi adds value to the Bird Sanctuary area by offering a magnificent view with its colorful appearance resulting from its geological structure. Formed 10 million years ago during the Late Miocene Period and shaped by the surrounding lakes and subsidence, this geological masterpiece attracts visitors with its visual feast of harmonious brown, gray, and yellow hues. Scientific studies continue on this Natural Monument, similar to those found in China, Peru, and America.

Gençlik Park

The first Ankara park of the Republic Period, Gençlik Park is an entertainment and sightseeing venue located at the centre of the city. Construction of the park began in 1936 and took 7 years to complete. In 2007 a big renovation and renewal project was undertaken, and Gençlik Park is once again open to visitors. Booths selling souvenirs and a tourist information office are located near Metro Gate of the park and there are kiosks, tea gardens and cafes inside the park. Gençlik park is also one of the social spaces adding value to the cultural life of Ankara with its theatre building, women’s support centre, tourist information office set up to give guidance to foreign visitors, wedding hall, culture and youth centres, Municipality reception hall, tea gardens, restaurants and walking areas. Its parking lot located near the Train Station entrance has a size of 2800 square metres and a capacity of 93 vehicles. There are open parking areas located in two different areas inside the park.

Akkaya Plateau

There are plateau houses built in traditional architecture, a Galatian period castle, a pond and archaeological sites in Akkaya Plateau that is about 2 kilometres away from Akkaya village. The distance between Akkaya village and Çamlıdere district is 35 kilometres. The plateau is suitable for nature walks and day trips.

Bulak Stream Valley

Fed by the slopes of the Köroğlu Mountains, Kanlıpınar Stream merges with other rivers and takes the name Sazak Stream. Near the village of Berçinbatak, Sazak Stream mixes with other streams and becomes Bulak Stream. The stream starts out on almost flat ground and then reaches Akyar Dam Lake by forming a narrow and steep valley. The river centre, which exits from the dam spillways, takes the waters of Belen Stream and mixes with Koca Stream. The old Ankara-Istanbul E-5 Highway, passing through the district centres, follows this valley to the Azablar Pass. On the plateau plains that feed the Bulak Stream, there are Sülaleler, Berçinçatak, Hamzalar and Korkmazlar plateaus and Süleler, Berçinçatak, Hamzalar, Şahinler, Korkmazlar, Eskice, Üyecek, Dereneci, Gökbel, Karaağaç, Bulak, Özbekler, Yanık, Kızılcaören, Ciğerler, Özdere, Çengeller and Oğlakçı settlements. These settlements are home to archaeological sites and Ottoman Period structures. In addition, Gökdere and Avdandere waters are also mixed into this stream. There are places suitable for nature walks, photosafari and tent camps in the region.

Hacılar Stream Valley

Hacılar Stream starts out at the slopes of Aydos Mountain and joins Çubuk 2 Dam Lake near Sele village. It merges with the stream of the same name near the village of Yukarıçovundur. Hacılar Stream Valley is a natural wonder with its canyons and forests. There are also Çitköy and Hacılar villages in the valley. There is Atatürk Plateau on the slopes of Aydos Mountain on the north side of the valley. Kılıçkaya Waterfall is located between Avcıova village and Hacılar village. Various hiking tours are organized along the Valley of Hacılar Stream. There are many species of birds and plants in the valley. There are Kalender Veli Tomb and Çubuk 2 Dam Lake in the south of the valley. Transportation is provided from the surrounding villages. The region is also suitable for photosafari.

Aşağıhüyük Pond

Located on the old plateau of Kızılcahamam Aşağıhüyük village, Aşağıhüyük Pond is located in Elmaçayırı area of Kurumcu Mountain and at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters. The pond can be reached from the villages of Kurumcu and Yukarihuyuk via dirt roads in the forest. Pine and fir trees are dominant in the region. Water birds are seen in April and May.

Kocadere Valley

To the east of Kızılcahamam is Yıldırım Mountain range with an altitude of 2015 meters. Water sources at the slopes of the mountains feed the stream of Kocadere which flows from the village of Yıldırımçatak to Çubuk district and, forming a valley, joins Ova Stream. Yıldırımhacılar, Yıldırımören, Yıldırımçatak, Yıldırımdemirciler, Yıldırımyağlıca and Olucak settlements are located in the west of Koca Stream, one of the longest in the region. In the stream valley, there are fields suitable for sporadic agriculture, pine and oak forests on the slopes, natural caves and manmade caves used for shelter. The valley is suitable for nature walks and photosafari.

Karasu Recreation Area

Karasu Recreation Area is located in the Aladağ Stream Valley along the Beypazarı–Dudaş Village road. The site features a small pond and a monumental tree of the fragrant juniper (Juniperus foetidissima) species. Dudaş Village is characterized by traditional wooden mansions reflecting vernacular architecture. The area is suitable for nature walks and photo safaris, offering opportunities for nature-based recreational activities.

Seğmenler Park

Seğmenler Park is known as the place where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his companions were greeted by the seğmens of Ankara when he came to the town on 27 December 1919. In the park area, which was constructed in 1983, there are pools, a playground, and an amphitheatre where concerts are performed from time to time.