Ankara Castle
Ankara Castle
4
About
The foundations of this structure were laid by Galatians and eventually completed by the Romans. Located atop a hill in the old city, the area inside the citadel contains many fine examples of traditional architecture.
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Neighbourhood: Çankaya
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
935 reviews
Excellent
354
Very good
338
Average
182
Poor
41
Terrible
20
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Dirk W
Alexandra Headland, Australia10,119 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
I think this may be the highest point in Ankara, hence why fortifications were built here as early as the 8th century BC by the Phrygians. Consequently it was used and improved by Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and Ottomans.
I found the castle itself less of an attraction, apart from the fact that you can see spolia in its walls everywhere - very picturesque.
But the views are panoramic in every direction and you can see the old Ottoman houses underneath with their decaying terracotta roofs.
The narrow alleys are now very touristic with lots of souvenir shops and cafe's.
I found the castle itself less of an attraction, apart from the fact that you can see spolia in its walls everywhere - very picturesque.
But the views are panoramic in every direction and you can see the old Ottoman houses underneath with their decaying terracotta roofs.
The narrow alleys are now very touristic with lots of souvenir shops and cafe's.
Written 24 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murathan
Samsun, Türkiye31 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
A building whose historical texture has not been preserved and abandoned to its fate in filth. It's a shame. It needs to be overhauled as soon as possible, the surrounding area should be cleaned and a proper parking lot should be provided. While Ankara Metropolitan Municipality operates a parking lot for 25 TL per hour, some people charge 70 TL for entry.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sebastian C
London, UK132 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Stunning views from the top of Ankara!
The Castle is small and not that great but just for the views is much recommended.
Also it's interesting to see the local houses around. The most of them are now been renewed and you can see the locals nearby. They are kind and friendly
Also you have a Souvenir Shop with friendly Staff and different souvenirs at a very good prices.
The Castle is small and not that great but just for the views is much recommended.
Also it's interesting to see the local houses around. The most of them are now been renewed and you can see the locals nearby. They are kind and friendly
Also you have a Souvenir Shop with friendly Staff and different souvenirs at a very good prices.
Written 15 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yusif M
Baku, Azerbaijan649 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Frankly, the fortress itself is of little interest. Inside it are cafes, gift shops and other similar establishments. Nearby, outside is the Rahmi Kos Museum and the Archaeological Museum. The only interesting thing is the view from above. That's the only reason you might not want to come here.
Automatically translated
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yunus Emre
Ankara, Türkiye18 contributions
Sept 2021 • Solo
It is worth to visit but the problem it is really top of a hill. Nice neighbourhood there is. Renewed old buildings and there are too many shops that you can buy interesting things. The bad thing there are constructions everywhere so I couldn’t made going the main castle. Except for that one should see.
Written 28 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erin S
Washington DC, DC24 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Lots of great artisan shops before you get to the castle. The copper and Turkish lamp shops are just great. The castle itself provided some breathtaking views of Ankara on clear days... I suggest spring and summer for the clearest views.
Written 28 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shadi M
Yokohama, Japan96 contributions
Jan 2020
a little bit more attention will make this castle a worth to visit place.
there are nice small cafes around but the historical value are definitely more and can be better presented.
second place to visit in Ankara
there are nice small cafes around but the historical value are definitely more and can be better presented.
second place to visit in Ankara
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Travelers 🙌🏼
16 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
I guess you can come in at any seasons, but certainly beautiful on sunny clear blue sky. The best place to view the city of Ankara. The entry to the Castle is free, relatively easy to climb and worth the view! After hiking, make sure you stop by to the Kebab across the castle for lunch named Oltu Kebabi. So yummy! Enjoy!
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lanceshield
Guzelyurt, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus77 contributions
Jun 2011 • Friends
The place is great...with historical restaurants, buildings, streets and street bazaar...however, beggars and children trying to sell handicrafts can be irritating sometimes...
Written 8 May 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Abbotsbury92
Arlington, VA904 contributions
Mar 2012 • Solo
I can't add a great deal to the other observations here. It's a very steep climb up to the citadel gate from the valley floor below but well worth it. Once inside the gate of the citadel you walk up a long lane then take a sharp left turn through another gate. Then, almost immediately, you turn sharply right and go steeply up to the citadel. You can walk around the top edge, which is around 8-9 feet wide with no guard rail. It affords the finest panoramic view of Ankara available.
What I can add here is that the photo of the citadel with a flag on this TripAdvisor page isn't the actual citadel you can visit. It's instead the one at the north end of the mount and is fenced off. The actual citadel accessible by tourists is at the south end, nearest to the gate through which you enter the citadel area. If you miss the turn (as I did) you'll have an interesting wander around the neighborhood of the citadel precincts before you realize you missed the tourist castle peak.
Also, if you're up here in the early evening, do yourself a favor and have dinner at the fantastic restaurant inside the Divan Cukurhan hotel, which is directly opposite the citadel gate.
Finally, it's unfortunate to note that when I visited on a breathtaking sunny early spring evening a young Roma girl accosted me while I was standing on the castle ledge admiring the view. She was extremely aggressive, and ultimately abusive, in begging for money. Just be aware that if a child approaches you (and she had a couple confederates, one of whom was an adult) and engages you verbally you may get into a very uncomfortable situation quickly. The citadel area within the walls is a poor neighborhood; however the Turkish children do not beg... only the Roma do. Be prepared and watchful.
What I can add here is that the photo of the citadel with a flag on this TripAdvisor page isn't the actual citadel you can visit. It's instead the one at the north end of the mount and is fenced off. The actual citadel accessible by tourists is at the south end, nearest to the gate through which you enter the citadel area. If you miss the turn (as I did) you'll have an interesting wander around the neighborhood of the citadel precincts before you realize you missed the tourist castle peak.
Also, if you're up here in the early evening, do yourself a favor and have dinner at the fantastic restaurant inside the Divan Cukurhan hotel, which is directly opposite the citadel gate.
Finally, it's unfortunate to note that when I visited on a breathtaking sunny early spring evening a young Roma girl accosted me while I was standing on the castle ledge admiring the view. She was extremely aggressive, and ultimately abusive, in begging for money. Just be aware that if a child approaches you (and she had a couple confederates, one of whom was an adult) and engages you verbally you may get into a very uncomfortable situation quickly. The citadel area within the walls is a poor neighborhood; however the Turkish children do not beg... only the Roma do. Be prepared and watchful.
Written 1 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
galadriel13_12
Montevideo, Uruguay
Es este lugar el que llaman la ciudadela de Ankara?
Written 17 March 2019
Gülnur Kaptanoglu
Ankara, Türkiye
Evet Anksranin eski yerlesin bolgesi ve kalesi
Written 11 September 2019
serdar ü
Ankara, Türkiye
Kalenin ney yapım yılı belli değildir ancak Kale tarih içinde çeşitli dönemler yaşamıştır. İ.Ö. 2. yy. başında Romalıların Galatya'yı ( Ankara yöresi) işgalinden sonra kent büyüyerek kale dışına taştı. Roma İmparatoru Caracaila İ.S. 217' de kalenin surlarını onarttı. 222 - 260 arasında İmparator Severus Alexander ve Velerianus, Perslere yenilince kale kısmen tahrip edildi. 7. yy ' ın 2. yarısından sonra Romalılar kaleyi onarmaya başladı. İmparator Konstantinos 688'de dışkaleyi yaptı. IV. Leon ise 740' da kale duvarlarını onartırken içkale surlarını da yükselmiştir. İmparator Nikephoros ve İmparator Basileios da 9.yy' da kaleyi onarttılar.
Ankara Kalesi 1073' de Selçukluların eline geçti. 1101' de Haçlı komutanı Raimond tarafından alınan kale, 1227' de bir kez daha Selçukluların eline geçti. Selçuklu Sultanı 1. Alaeddin Keykubat' ın onarttığı kaleye Sultan II. Keykavus da 1249'da bazı ekler yaptırdı. Osmalılar döneminde onarım görmeyen kalenin surlarını Mısır Valisi M.Ali Paşa' nın oğlu İbrahim Paşa 1832' de onarttı. Surların bazı yerlerinde rastlanan sütun başlıkları, lahit ve heykel parçaları, onarımlarda toplama malzemeden yararlanıldığını gösterir.
Written 24 November 2017
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