Turkey Guide On Line
Turkey Guide On Line
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For Istanbul and its museums and monuments istanbulexpert, For Cappadocia and its fantastic landscapes visit cappadociaguideonline For Turkish Carpets and kilims turkishcarpetsguide. For Bodrum ancient Halicarnassus guidebodrum. and bodrumrehberi This site sponsored by inpopanda and incicuhadar
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ANKARA Ankara, the capital city of Turkey has fascinating ancient monuments and museums. Enjoy old Ankara with its magnificent citadel with old Turkish wooden houses. Visit The temple of Augustus with the factinating incriptions of "Deeds of Augustus" anf famous Caracalla Baths. Don't miss the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations and Mausoluem of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.
Ankara, capital of Modern Turkey has two faces: old and modern. The city has
been inhabited since the earliest days of the history. This land of Early Bronze
Age Civilizations created great cities and works of art near Ankara. Then Ankara
Region became most important area for Hittite Kingdom and Hittite Empire.
Hittites chose Hattusas as their capital city and in the following centuries
became one of the super powers of the ancient world rivaling with Egyptians and
Mesopotamian powers. After the collapse of Hittite Civilization, Ankara Region
was the land of Phrygians who chose legendary Gordion as their capital. The king
Midas became universally known to ancient world because of his golden touch and
power. Next power took over the region was Lydians who stayed in the region
until their defeat by the Persians the shores of River Hallys ( Kizilirmak River).
Persians who appointed satraps (local governors) to various part of Anatolia,
they also appointed a satrap for central Anatolia. History of the region changed
once more with the arrival of Alexander the great arriving to Ankara after his
battle with Persians and after cutting the Gordion Knot. During Hellenistic
Period, Ankara was under the rule of the Galatians, warlike tribes coming from
central and Eastern Europe. Therefore, the region was called Galatia and
Galatians got tributes from all the Anatolian Kingdoms. It was 25 AD. Galatia
was annexed to Roman Empire. During the time of Augustus, a great temple was
built for Augustus. The walls of the great temple were decorated with the
inscriptions explaining all the deeds of Emperor Augustus. The Ancyra or Angora
was visited by famous figures of the history such as Paul or Peter. Great Roman
Baths was built during the time of Caracalla. In the forth century the town was
visited by Julian the Apostate who tried to bring pagan religion. A column was
erected in honor of the visit of the emperor. During the Byzantine Centuries,
Angora was permanently attracted by Arabs who attacked all the Anatolian cities
on the way to Constantinople. Starting from 11th century, region was at the
hands of Seljuk Turks who defeated the Byzantine armies under leadership of
Alpaslan. During Seljuk Rule, great number of mosques, religions buildings and
caravanserais were built in Ankara. They can be still seen in the old citadel
area. Being on the major military and trade roads, During the Ottoman centuries,
Ankara continued to be important town. Ankara, because of its location, was
chosen as the capital of Modern Turkey by Mustafa Kemal when he started the war
of Independence after the First World War. Ankara was then a small dusty
Anatolian town. It was in Ankara where representatives of Anatolian cities met
and where the first Turkish parliament was formed. Ankara government, headed by
Atatürk, had to fight against British, French, Italians and Greek armies
occupying Anatolia after the First world War. Greek army landing in Izmir
marched all the way to Ankara Region their aim was to put an end with Ankara
Government. But incredible resistance of Turkish armies helped by Turkish women,
elderly people and children made the whole world surprised. Greek armies started
to retreat towards western coast and the war of Independence ended in 1922 at
the shores of Aegean Sea. Reforms of Kemal Atatürk As the president of Turkish
Republic Atatürk made great reforms trying to westernise Turkey. Here are some
of the reforms of Atatürk: Change of measurement and weight systems adoption of
the Latin Alphabet adoption of European type garments. abolition of Fez and Veil.
Change of calendar from Muslim Lunar calendar to Gregorian Calender. Equal
rights and political rights given to Turkish women Atatürks puts an end to
Polygamy for the favor of Turkish Women Turkey becomes a secular State. The
religious and State affairs are separated from each other. Seriat Muslim Code is
replaced by Italian Penalty Code and Swiss Civilian Code. Atatürk makes the
First Land Reform. The land, which had been owned, by Sultan and Royalty and
privileged people is distributed to peasants. Atatürks establishes Model Farms
where people of Anatolia learn about modern farming, animal husbandry. Atatürk,
great hero and leader of modern Turkey died in 1938 at Dolmabahce Palace in
Istanbul. His body was taken to Ankara and finally buried in monumental tomb
built for him. |
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