Ankara and Anıtkabir

Ankara lies in Central Anatolia and is Türkiye's second-largest city. During the War of Independence it was the movement's centre: the Grand National Assembly opened here on 23 April 1920, and on 13 October 1923 Ankara was declared the capital of the new state.

Anıtkabir rises on Rasattepe hill and was built in 1944–1953. Atatürk's remains were moved here on 10 November 1953. The complex includes the Road of Lions, the Ceremonial Plaza, the Hall of Honour and a museum; state visits usually begin here.

The old town clusters around Ankara Castle, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations displays finds from the Palaeolithic to the Ottoman era.