Delve into history in Ankara

Discover the rich heritage of Turkey's capital city. Ankara is full of ancient architecture and historical monuments. These are our top tips for a journey back in time.

Ankara is not only the administrative capital of Turkey, but the historic capital too. The oldest settlements in the city are thought to date back to 2500 BC. They belonged to the Hatti civilization. The power of the city has changed hands many times since then, belonging to the Phrygians, Lydians, Galatians and other civilizations.

Today, the city, the second largest after Istanbul, has a population of over 4.5 million. It is a successful commercial and industrial hub, whose heritage plays an important role in the culture.

Anıtkabir is a memorial and museum dedicated to the life of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881-1938). He was an army officer and nationalist leader who went on to become the first president of the Turkish Republic. The reforms he put in place revolutionized and modernized the nation.

The architecture and structure of the building is impressive. The mausoleum stands proudly on Observation Hill (Rasattepe) overlooking Ankara. The best way to enter is through Peace Park, up the steps to Lion Road, named after the avenue lined with neo-Hittite stone lions leading to the main courtyard. Peace Park surrounds the memorial. It is made up of tree species from regions across Turkey and from foreign countries. In total, the park contains over 48,500 trees and plants.

Inside, the main hall is beautifully decorated in red marble and colorful mosaics, taking you though the ages of civilization. Atatürk's 42-ton sarcophagus lies within a tomb on the north side of the building. Many of his personal effects can also be viewed and an interactive show takes you on a journey of his life.

There is a good selection of museums in the city, but the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Müzesi) provides fantastic insight to what shaped Turkey's past. It presents a unique exhibit of Anatolian archaeology and human civilizations. It contains an interesting collection of artifacts from the Paleolithic Age to the present day. You can see some of the earliest records and excavations in history in the form of antiquities, statues, artifacts, ceramics and sarcophagi.

A trip to Turkey is incomplete without experiencing an authentic Turkish bath, or Hamam. Sengül Hamam is located in Ulus. Built in the 15th century, it is a piece of history in itself. It is in fact only one of two ancient Hamams still in use in Ankara. Today, it welcomes both men and women in separate quarters. As well as baths, you can choose from a variety of treatments to sooth and revitalize the body.

Whether you want to bathe in historical surroundings or delve into the diverse heritage of this fascinating city, there is much to explore in Ankara. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Ankara makes the ideal base to discover all that this ancient capital has to offer.