Government Square

Ankara, Turkey

Government Square is considered the old political center of Ankara. This is where many old government buildings are located, and it is also a place to keep a lot of historical markers of the city's development. Today, Government Square is no longer the administrative center of Ankara but still attracts a large number of visitors every day.

Government Square is a square in the Ulus district of Ankara, Turkey. It is surrounded by old government buildings assigned to the Ankara University of Social Sciences. The square is located west of the Hacıbayram neighborhood and north of Ulus Square.

On the west side of Government Square is Turkey's first Prime Minister's Palace building. It was built in 1925 by architect Yahya Ahmet Bey and served as the Prime Minister's office until 1937. Later, the building was used as the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance and the Deputy Secretary of the Navy. mandarin. It was assigned to Ankara University of Social Sciences in 2013 and operates as a research institute.

To the north of Government Square is the former Ankara Governor's Palace. It was built by Abidin Paşa in 1897. The building operated as the Ankara Governor's Authority until August 5, 2019, when it was assigned to the Ankara University of Social Sciences.

In the garden in front of the old governor's house is a Roman ramp. It was discovered during excavations between 1995 and 1996 and lies 4.25 meters below the current road surface. The path is covered with a glass floor so visitors can walk on it and look down.

Finally, in the center of Government Square is the Julian Column. It was erected in 362 in honor of Roman Emperor Julian's visit to Ankara. It was originally located near the İşbank Building a few blocks away and was moved to its present location in 1934.

The Julian column is 15 meters high and has a crown carving on the top. It is built of limestone and there are no motifs carved on this column.

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Nearby attractions

Ankara Castle (Kalesi)

Unlike the fairy-tale castles you see in story books, Ankara castle is of a large type and was used as a distinct military fortress. Built in Ottoman times, the castle has magnificent tall towers atop four colossal walls, with 42 pentagonal towers built at different stages along its length. Hiking up to the castle can be a workout, but it's the stunning views from the top that are worth it. The castle also has a busy market with dozens of small stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs.

Lăng Anitkabir

Anıtkabir (Tomb and Monument), located on a prominent hill in central Ankara, about 2km west of Kızılay along Gazi Mustafa Kemal Bulvarı, is the Mausoleum of Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president. of the Republic of Turkey. This is one of the places worth visiting in Ankara.

Kizilay Square

Kızılay National Will Square, originally Kızılay Square, is one of the most important centers and intersections of Ankara, Turkey. After the coup d'état on May 27, 1960, it was officially renamed Freedom Square but the use of the name Kızılay Square continues to be popular to this day.

Ancient capital Gordion

Ankara is the best place for a day trip to the Phrygian capital Gordion during the Iron Age. This is the site that was once home to the legendary King Midas and where Alexander the Great cut the Gordion knot. Today, the ruins of this Phrygian city lie among the fields of the peaceful agricultural village of Yassihöyük (96 km southwest of Ankara).