Information
Landmark: Ulus SquareCity: Ankara
Country: Turkey
Continent: Asia
Ulus Square, Ankara, Turkey, Asia
Overview
Ulus Square (Ulus Meydanı) stands at the heart of Ankara’s history, a place where old stone facades and bustling streets tell the city’s story.In the heart of the city, the square buzzes with tourists snapping photos and locals hurrying past on their daily routines.Right in the city’s center, it buzzes with life and stands out as a landmark every visitor or local in Ankara can spot, like the clock tower gleaming in the afternoon sun.Ulus Square sits at the heart of Ankara’s story, one of its oldest quarters, where stone streets have witnessed centuries of Turkey’s history.It’s stood through some of Turkey’s most pivotal moments, from the crack of gunfire in the War of Independence to the first celebrations marking the birth of the Republic.For years, people have flocked to Ulus for rallies, speeches, and public gatherings, filling the square with the sound of voices and the press of a crowd.Over the years, Ulus Square has changed more than once, from quiet cobblestone corners to busy streets alive with voices and footsteps.Before modern Ankara took shape, this spot buzzed as a marketplace and commercial hub, its stalls piled high with fresh figs and spices in the early 20th century.In 1923, the square helped anchor Ankara as the capital of the newly born Republic of Turkey, buzzing with the sound of cart wheels and voices in the early days.Ulus Square, known as the Republic’s birthplace, is tied to the founding of modern Turkey under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, its first president, where speeches once echoed across the cobblestones.In the Republic’s early years, this spot drew intense attention, and today it still holds landmarks like stone-fronted government halls that helped shape Turkey’s road to independence.Ulus Square bustles with buses and taxis, but it’s more than just a transport hub-it’s where locals and visitors alike stop to admire its historic clock tower and other well-known landmarks.First.In Ulus Square, one sight stands out-a bronze statue of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.Rising from the heart of the square, the statue honors Atatürk’s role in founding Turkey and embodies the Republic’s ideals, its bronze surface catching the afternoon sun.People gather at the statue to honor Atatürk, and on Republic Day, October 29, red-and-white flags ripple in the breeze as it becomes the heart of national celebrations and other important events.Number two.Just a short walk from Ulus Square, the centuries-old Hacı Bayram Mosque stands as one of Ankara’s most important places of worship, its weathered stone glowing warm in the afternoon sun.Built in the 15th century, it takes its name from Hacı Bayram Veli, the celebrated Turkish Islamic scholar and poet whose words once echoed through its halls.The mosque stands as a cherished place of worship and a living piece of the area’s cultural heritage, its minaret rising above the old stone streets.The mosque showcases classic Ottoman design, with graceful domes and slender minarets, and it’s still a cherished place for worship in the heart of the city.Beside it, the Hacı Bayram Veli Complex holds a quiet tomb and a small tekkesi, where the scent of old wood still lingers.Number three.Perched at the edge of Ulus Square, the Old Government Building (Eski Hükümet Konağı) stands as a proud landmark in Ankara’s architectural heritage, its weathered stone catching the late-afternoon light.In the early years of the Turkish Republic, it served as the government’s seat, where officials gathered under the echo of heavy wooden doors.Today, the building holds a mix of government offices and cultural exhibits, from quiet council rooms to bright displays of local history.Number four sat alone on the page, sharp and dark as fresh ink.Just a short stroll from Ulus Square, you can wander through the Roman Baths, ancient stone ruins that have stood since the 2nd century AD.These baths belong to Ankara’s Roman past, giving you a brief look into the bustling world of the ancient civilization that once filled these stone halls.Number five sat alone, a small mark on the page like a seed waiting to sprout.Ankara Castle, a centuries-old fortress with weathered stone walls, stands close to Ulus Square, another well-known landmark in the city.From the castle’s high stone walls, you can see the whole city spread out below, and it’s a perfect stop for travelers eager to dig into Ankara’s past.Right in the heart of the city, Ulus Square buzzes with buses, taxis, and people on the move, making it a key transportation hub.Buses rumble in, the metro hums below, and taxis wait at the curb, making the square easy to reach from anywhere in Ankara.Ulus Metro Station, part of Ankara’s light rail network, links the bustling square to several districts across the city, from the busy streets of Kızılay to the government buildings in Sıhhiye.Ulus Square bustles with life, drawing locals and visitors alike to meet, talk, and linger by its wide stone steps.The area buzzes with life as friends meet for coffee, shoppers wander past colorful stalls, and visitors head off to explore the old stone buildings nearby.Shops and markets line the square, from tiny cafés with the smell of fresh bread to bustling restaurants and stalls, all welcoming visitors eager to taste the local culture.The area also boasts bustling Turkish bazaars and markets, where you can browse stalls piled high with handmade crafts and breathe in the warm scent of fresh bread and spices.Ulus Square often buzzes with life, hosting political rallies, cultural festivals, and the occasional protest where banners ripple in the breeze.Sitting at the heart of the city, with centuries of history etched into its stones, it’s the perfect place for national celebrations, solemn ceremonies, and moments of remembrance.On October 29th, Turkey’s Republic Day, Ulus Square bursts to life with flags snapping in the breeze, as crowds gather for official ceremonies, lively parades, and cultural events honoring the birth of the Turkish Republic.Atatürk’s Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) isn’t in Ulus Square, but it’s only a short drive away, its broad steps and towering columns drawing both Turkish citizens and visitors from around the world.Just a short walk from Ulus Square, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations displays ancient artifacts-a bronze spearhead here, a carved stone tablet there-bringing the region’s rich history vividly to life.In the heart of Ankara, Ulus Square blends centuries-old stone facades with the hum of modern shops, a place where history and progress meet.It’s more than a transportation and trade hub-it’s a place alive with historic landmarks, rich culture, and the hum of people gathering in the open square.From the towering Atatürk statue to the quiet Hacı Bayram Mosque and the weathered stones of the Roman Baths, Ulus Square draws visitors into a vibrant mix of history and culture.Ulus is a spot you can’t miss in Ankara-whether you’re tracing the city’s history, joining the buzz of a national celebration, or just strolling past the scent of fresh simit in the square.
