Akkale: The Seljuk Citadel within Ankara Castle
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Turkey
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Seljuk
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Citadel
On this page6 sections
History
Akkale is an inner citadel in Ankara Castle, Turkey, built by the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum in 1249 under Sultan Kaykaus II. Although enclosed within the larger fortress, it formed an independent structure and its most defensible section.
Seljuk foundation
The citadel occupied the northern end and highest point of Ankara Castle. Its position on a steep slope provided such strong natural protection that walls were considered unnecessary in parts of this area. Akkale, also known as Alitaşı, therefore combined a commanding location with the defensive organization of the wider castle.
Early museum of the Republic
In 1921, at the request of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the director of culture Mübarek Galip Bey established the first museum in the history of the Turkish Republic at Akkale. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. The museum remained in the citadel until 1948. Akkale now serves as a depot for the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, an archaeological museum in Ankara, and is closed to visitors.
Remains
Citadel position and construction
Akkale stands at the highest northern point of Ankara Castle, above a steep slope that contributed to its defensive character. The masonry contains a small amount of marble, while most of the structure is built from andesite, a fine-grained volcanic stone widely used in the Ankara region. The material was once often compared with porphyry, but the stone is actually Ankara andesite. Numerous reused stones are incorporated into the construction, including pieces believed to have come from older ancient buildings. Such reused architectural elements are commonly called spolia.
Underground passage
A secret underground passage leading from Akkale toward Bentderesi was discovered in 1842 by the British traveler William Francis Ainsworth. The passage forms part of the citadel’s surviving archaeological features and links its fortified position with the area beyond the castle.
