Turkey
Central Anatolia
Region
Central Anatolia is the highland in the heart of Turkey, stretching from the capital Ankara to Konya in the south.
by Felix Gillen
Central Anatolia is the highland in the heart of Turkey, stretching from the capital Ankara to Konya in the south. Here lie Hattuşa, the capital of the Hittites, Seljuk buildings and the Mevlana Museum in Konya, as well as Atatürk's Mausoleum in Ankara. High-speed trains connect the major cities with Istanbul.
OverviewThe region is a high plateau; Ankara lies at 938, Konya at over 1,000 meters altitude. The capital is in the north, Konya in the south, the ruins of Hattuşa about a two-hour drive east of the capital. Cappadocia borders to the east.When to Visit and Getting ThereThe climate is continental, with hot, dry summers and cold, often snowy winters. You can reach Ankara by high-speed train YHT in about four hours from Istanbul, Konya from Ankara in just over two hours. There are airports in Ankara (Esenboğa) and Konya.What to ExpectHittites: Hattuşa and Yazılıkaya near Boğazkale, the finds at the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations in Ankara.Seljuks and Sufis: Madrasahs, Mosques, and Rumi's Tomb in Konya, along with the Sema of the Dervishes.Republic: Ankara with Anıtkabir, Citadel, and the old town quarter Hamamönü.Neolithic Age: Çatalhöyük near Konya, one of the oldest known settlements in the world.
Food and Drink
Highland cuisine features lamb, grain, and bread baked in a wood-fired oven.
Etli Ekmek
Konya's long, thin pide with mince, tomato and pepper, briefly baked in an oak wood oven.
Oven Kebab
Oven-baked, tender lamb on fluffy flatbread, served in simple eateries in Konya.
Ankara Tava
Rice noodles with tomatoes, bell peppers and cumin, served with lamb.
Çorum Leblebisi
Roasted chickpeas from Çorum Province, where Hattuşa is located.
Culture & History
Hittites and PhrygiansDuring the Late Bronze Age, Central Anatolia was the heartland of the Hittites, whose capital Hattuşa fell around 1200 BC. The first fortification of Ankara's citadel is attributed to the Phrygians; later, Galatians and Romans ruled here.Seljuks and MevlanaFrom the late 11th century, Konya served as the capital of the Rûm Seljuks. During this period, the mystic Rumi lived in the city, and his followers founded the Mevlevi Order of Dervishes.Capital of the RepublicIn 1923, Ankara became the capital of the new Republic. Atatürk's Mausoleum, Anıtkabir, was completed in 1953 on a hill overlooking the city.
Arrival & On the Go
By TrainThe high-speed YHT trains connect Istanbul, Ankara, and Konya: Istanbul to Ankara takes approximately four hours, Ankara to Konya a good two, Istanbul to Konya around five hours.By Bus and CarHattuşa: Without a car, take a bus to Sungurlu and continue by the infrequently running Dolmuş or taxi to Boğazkale.Çatalhöyük: From Konya by train to Çumra, then a taxi or, in summer, a minibus.TipAnkara makes a good base for Hattuşa, Konya can be easily combined with onward travel to Cappadocia.
