Museum Day from the Citadel Slope to Ulus
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Six of Ankara's best museums line a single kilometre of hillside, so make the most of it. Start the morning at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, move a few steps to the Roman coins of Erimtan, and have lunch among vintage cars at Çengelhan by the citadel gate. In the afternoon take in the Ethnography and Painting-Sculpture museums on Namazgah hill and finish in the ballroom of Ankara Palas. Do not set out without a museum pass and comfortable shoes; both will be the heroes of the day.
Route Stops
Anatolian Civilizations Museum - The Door to History
Enter at opening; allow two hours for the Hittite hall and Phrygian furniture, and you finish before the school groups arrive.
The Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located at the foot of Ankara Castle, sheds light on the rich history of Anatolia, spanning from the Paleolithic Period to the Roman Period. The museum showcases unique artifacts from the Hittite, Phrygian, Urartian, and Lydian civilizations, with particular emphasis on the Hittite Sun Disk and the findings from Alacahöyük. Additionally, the museum houses countless historical artifacts such as ceramics, tablets, sculptures, and ancient jewelry. This venue, a major attraction for archaeology enthusiasts and history buffs, is also listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum - The Buried Treasures of Anatolia
Step into number 10 on the same street. After the Roman coins and glassware, take a quick coffee in the garden.
The Erimtan Archaeology and Art Museum, which makes significant contributions to the cultural fabric of Ankara, was opened to visitors in 2015. Located near Ankara Castle in the historical atmosphere of the capital, this special museum stands out as a point of intersection for archaeology, art, and cultural heritage.
The museum's collection consists of archaeological artifacts gathered over the years by construction engineer and collector Yüksel Erimtan. The artifacts span a wide time frame from the Hittites to the Roman Empire, offering visitors a close-up opportunity to explore the rich history of Anatolia. Notably, Greco-Roman glass objects, bronze items, and seals are among the striking pieces in the collection.
Erimtan Museum not only exhibits archaeological artifacts but also hosts contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. The museum attracts art lovers with temporary exhibitions that bring together art and history, concerts, workshops, and conferences. In particular, music performances and creative activities organized for children are among the programs that capture visitors' interest.
Çengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum.
Directly opposite the citadel gate; lunch in the courtyard first, then the industry and transport collection. Let children linger here as long as they like.
Ethnography Museum.
Walk twenty minutes via Hamamönü. See the carpets, the minbars and the temporary tomb in the inner courtyard.
Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum: One of the Centers of Art in the Capital
The building next door; 150 years of Turkish painting and the Turkish Hearths hall. Pause a minute on the marble staircase.
One of the most important art venues in Ankara, Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum is a prestigious museum that houses the finest works of Turkish painting and sculpture art. This building, constructed in 1927 and opened as a museum in 1980, was established as part of the cultural policies of the Republic era to support Turkish art.
The museum building, designed by Architect Arif Hikmet Koyunoğlu, is an impressive structure that carries traces of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture. Located in Ulus, one of Ankara's historical districts, right next to the Ethnography Museum, the museum attracts art lovers with its artistic atmosphere and impressive collections.
The museum's collection includes works by important figures of Turkish painting such as Osman Hamdi Bey, İbrahim Çallı, Hikmet Onat, Şeker Ahmet Paşa, Hoca Ali Rıza, Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu, and Fikret Mualla. Additionally, works by leading representatives of sculpture art, Zühtü Müridoğlu, Hüseyin Gezer, and İlhan Koman are among the most notable pieces in the museum.
Inside the museum, there are temporary exhibition halls, art galleries, restoration workshops, and conference rooms, hosting various art events throughout the year. Furthermore, academic studies related to art history and workshop activities are also organized.
Ankara Painting and Sculpture Museum is an indispensable stop for art enthusiasts who want to explore the journey of Turkish art from the past to the present. It is a cultural treasure that everyone who wants to feel the spirit of art and see the most exquisite works of Turkish painting and sculpture art up close must visit.
Ankara Palas Museum.
Fifteen minutes down the boulevard; make it before the 17:00 closing, and the reward for being the last visitor is a quiet ballroom.
