Museums of Anatolian Civilations

The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is located in the At Pazarı district, near the southeastern outer wall of Ankara Castle. It consists of two restored Ottoman-era buildings that have been repurposed for museum use. The Mahmut Pasha Bazaar is believed to have been built between 1464 and 1471 by Mahmut Pasha, the grand vizier of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. The Kurşunlu Han was commissioned by another grand vizier of the same era, Mehmet Pasha, as a foundation (vakıf) to support his charitable complex in the Üsküdar district of Istanbul. Both structures were abandoned following a fire in 1881, but were later restored over many years upon the request of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, in order to exhibit artifacts collected from across Anatolia. The museum officially opened in 1921. Today, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations is recognized as one of the leading museums in the world, with its rich and unique collections. Artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic Age to the Ottoman Period are exhibited in chronological order. On April 19, 1997, the museum was awarded the title of “Museum of the Year” in Lausanne, Switzerland, ranking first among 68 museums from various countries.

Ankara Augustus Temple

"The Ankara Roman Theatre, discovered in 1982, became the focus of archaeological excavation beginning on 15 March 1983, with rescue excavations continuing until 1986. The dig was conducted under the authority and supervision of the Directorate of the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ulus, led by the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Dating to the early 2nd century AD, the theatre stands as a typical example of classical Roman theatre architecture in Anatolia. Excavations revealed vaulted parados corridors (side entrance passages), a stone-paved orchestra floor, the cavea (audience seating tiers), foundation remains of the stage building (scaenae frons), and wall traces of backstage chambers and service spaces. In addition, numerous statues, sculptural fragments, and decorative architectural pieces were also unearthed. Today, the site is preserved as a registered archaeological heritage zone and is open to visitors as part of Ankara’s cultural tourism routes, functioning as a historic open-air heritage area supported by conservation-focused restoration and site improvement projects."

MTA Martyr Cuma Dağ Museum of Natural History

The Mining Exploration and Research (MTA) Natural History Museum, which holds the distinction of being Türkiye’s first and largest natural history museum, was established on February 7, 1968, under the MTA General Directorate. The museum was opened to exhibit and preserve specimens collected during the institution’s fieldwork. Today, it continues to operate in a newly constructed building within the campus, showcasing a vast collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, and ore samples gathered from various regions of Türkiye and around the world

Democracy Museum Of 15 July

The 15 July Democracy Museum, opened on July 15, 2021, to tell the story of the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, is located opposite the Presidential Complex in Beştepe. The museum consists of eight halls, each with a different theme: “Coups in Türkiye and the World,” “A Bullet Threat,” “Thrown into Darkness,” “The Longest Night,” “Those Who Left a Mark,” “The Call to Prayer,” “Respect for the Martyrs,” and “Democracy Watches.” The first section presents coups in Türkiye and around the world through written and visual content. In the other halls, the coup process is reenacted with videos; stories, biographies, and photographs of those who lost their lives during the coup attempt are also displayed.

Atatürk's Mausoleum

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, passed away on November 10, 1938. His body was taken from Dolmabahçe Palace on November 19, 1938, placed on a gun carriage and transported to Sarayburnu. From there, it was carried by the torpedo boat Zafer to the battleship Yavuz, then to İzmit, and finally transported to Ankara via the White Train. Upon arrival at Ankara Train Station, the casket was placed on a gun carriage -now exhibited in the Peace Tower at Anıtkabirand moved to the front of the Second Grand National Assembly. Following a state funeral, Atatürk’s body was temporarily interred at the Ethnography Museum on November 21, 1938. His remains rested there for 15 years, until their transfer to his final resting place at Anıtkabir on November 10, 1953, after the completion of its construction on Rasattepe. Anıtkabir is composed of two main sections: the Monument Block and the Peace Park. Flanking the Lion Road, which begins at the Tandoğan Gate, are 24 lion statues symbolizing the 24 Oghuz tribes. The Hall of Honor, which forms the core of the monument, features colorful marble-covered floors and walls. Its ceiling is adorned with mosaics inspired by 16th- and 17th-century Turkish carpet and kilim motifs. Beneath the symbolic red marble sarcophagus lies the actual burial chamber. Within the Anıtkabir complex are ten towers, each reflecting a different theme: Independence, Liberty, the Mehmetçik (Turkish soldier), Victory, Peace, April 23, National Pact (Mîsâk-ı Millî), Revolution, Republic, and Defense of National Rights. The museum, entered through the National Pact Tower, was opened on June 21, 1960 under the name “Anıtkabir Atatürk Museum”. On August 26, 2020, it was renamed the “Atatürk and War of Independence Museum.”

War of Independence Museum (1 St Grand National Assembly Of Türkiye Building)

The project for the 1st Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) building, intended as the club headquarters of the Committee of Union and Progress, was drawn by Evkaf Architect Salim Bey upon the orders of Enver Pasha, and the project was entrusted to Military Architect Hasip Bey, who was in charge of the corps. A structure from the 1st National Architecture Period, the building was used as the TBMM building between April 23, 1920, and October 15, 1924, before being converted into a museum in 1957. The building opened to the public on April 23, 1961, as the “Grand National Assembly of Türkiye Museum,” and on April 23, 1981, as the “War of Independence Museum.” In 2009, it was transferred to the TBMM within the framework of a protocol signed between the TBMM and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The museum collection includes personal belongings of Atatürk and some members of parliament, ethnographic materials, Medals of Independence, war equipment, drafts of the Constitution, communication tools such as telephones and Morse code printers, and oil paintings.

Turkish İş Bank Economıc Independence Museum

The third headquarters building of Türkiye İş Bankası in Ulus is one of the landmark structures planned as the administrative and financial center of Ulus during the early Republican period. Designed by prominent architect Giulio Mongeri, the building reflects the First National Architectural Movement style, inspired by Seljuk and classical Ottoman architectural elements. The museum opens the original vault rooms in the basement to visitors, as well as specially preserved private areas on the ground and first floors. These floors also showcase a collection of photographs, documents, artifacts, and films highlighting the bank’s history of economic independence. On the second floor, a permanent exhibition titled “Presented with Pride by Türkiye İş Bankası” details the bank’s communication activities and social contributions. The museum also includes an art gallery and a temporary exhibition hall, which has hosted the “Independence” exhibition organized for the 100th anniversary of the National Struggle, part of which has been held in Istanbul. On the museum’s fourth floor, the Atatürk Library was established to commemorate İş Bankası’s 100th anniversary. The library offers extensive resources and databases and serves students, academics, and researchers.

Gordion Museum and Site

"Founded in 1963 in a small rural settlement, Gordion Museum has grown into one of Türkiye’s notable archaeological museums with the addition of modern storage areas, laboratories, information halls, and indoor–outdoor exhibition spaces. Presenting artifacts from Polatlı and its surroundings in a chronological layout, the museum was a finalist for the European Museum of the Year Award in 2000. Its collection features pottery, relief orthostats, and iron tools dating from the Early Bronze Age to the Early Phrygian period. Adjacent to the museum lies the Gordion Archaeological Site, a settlement inhabited since around 3000 BCE and home to many civilizations including the Hittites, Phrygians, Persians, and Romans. One of the site’s most prominent structures is the Midas Tumulus, believed to belong to King Midas, measuring 300 meters in diameter and 55 meters in height—one of the largest burial mounds in Anatolia. In the area, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, archaeological work continues. In 2024, 88 artifacts uncovered in the T26 Tumulus—thought to belong to the Phrygian royal family—were transferred to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations for preservation. Gordion offers visitors a remarkable opportunity to explore the deep history and cultural legacy of ancient Anatolian civilizations."

Presidential Atatürk Mansion Museum

Located within the Presidential Çankaya Campus, the Atatürk Museum Mansion is the residence and workspace used by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk between 1921 and 1932. As the first Presidential Residence of the Republic of Türkiye, the building was opened to the public in 1950 and has since been known as the Atatürk Museum Mansion. Between 2002 and 2007, a comprehensive restoration project was carried out, renewing both the building and all items within it. The mansion, which can be visited with a guided tour, aims to realistically reflect Atatürk’s daily life and provide visitors with an authentic sense of the lived atmosphere of the house. Within the campus, a vineyard house occasionally used by Atatürk also serves as a museum, and the Glass Pavilion (Camlı Köşk), which was built for his sister Makbule Hanım, is likewise open to visitors.

Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum

The museum building was constructed on Namazgah Hill by Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu in 1927. A fine example of the First National Architecture Period (1908–1930), the building was designed as the Headquarters of the Turkish Hearts. Restored and opened in 1980, the museum quickly became an institution with all the functions and services required by contemporary museology. Among the museum’s first works are Osman Hamdi Bey’s “The Arms Dealer,” V. Vereshchagin’s “At Timur’s Tomb,” Fausto Zonaro’s “Portrait of a Young Girl,” and Emel Cimcoz Korutürk’s “Gratitude to a Veteran”. Some of the paintings purchased by Adnan Ötüken, founder of the National Library, have also been restored and added to the museum collection. Some of the works of artists who participated in the state painting and sculpture exhibitions, which began in 1939 during the Republican era to promote plastic arts among the public and support artists, were included in the museum’s collection by a selection committee. The works, added through purchases, illustrate the evolution of Turkish plastic arts and meet the needs of researchers working in this field

Ankara Palace

Opened in 1928, the Ankara Palace, located opposite the Second Assembly in Ulus, is a symbolic building of the Republic period. The building where the founder of the Republic, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, stayed after his speeches, turned into a meeting place for parliament members, journalists, and artists in the 1930s. Initially, the building designed as the club of deputies, was completed by Architect Kemalettin Bey’s project and started operating as a 120- bed Hotel in 1927. Ankara Palace, which had hosted foreign delegations and significant meetings for years, was later restored and became the State Guesthouse in 1982. The building, which was transferred to the National Palaces Administration in 2018, has welcomed its visitors as a museum since 2024.

Ulucanlar Prıson Museum

Established in 1925, Ulucanlar Prison was closed in 2006 following the transfer of inmates to Sincan Prison. In June 2011, the building was restored by the Altındağ Municipality and opened to the public as a museum. The museum displays detailed information about the inmates who were held at Ulucanlar, including personal belongings provided by their families and photographs taken during their imprisonment. Additionally, classrooms where prisoners received education and the handicrafts they produced are also exhibited.