Things to Do in Kalecik: 5 Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Kalecik

• 1 Ancient City
• 2 Religious
• 1 Nature
• 1 Other

i Photo: Mahalleninbehlülü (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Source

1 🏺 Ancient City

Kalecik Castle

A castle on a commanding hill in the district centre. Dating from the Roman period, it was repaired in the Ottoman era.

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2 🌳 Nature

Kızılırmak Valley

The valley region running north to south, which defines the geography of the district.

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3 🕌 Religious

Hasbey Mosque

A historic monument built in the Ottoman period, counted among the leading mosques of the era.

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4 📍 Other

Develioğlu Bridge

A historic bridge over the Kızılırmak River.

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5 🕌 Religious

Kazancı Baba Tomb

One of the district's main historic monuments, the tomb is mentioned together with the Hasbey, Hamdi, Saray and Tabakhane mosques.

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While you are in Kalecik, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts; Kalecik is about 72 km from the provincial centre.

• Anıtkabir — The mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, designed by Emin Onat and Orhan Arda and built on Rasattepe between 1944 and 1953. The Lion Road leads to the ceremonial square; the Hall of Honour holds the symbolic sarcophagus, and Atatürk's body lies in the tomb chamber on the lower floor.
• Museum of Anatolian Civilisations — Housed in the Mahmud Paşa Bedesten and Kurşunlu Han, the museum began at Atatürk's wish as a 'Hittite Museum' and today displays Anatolia's civilisations in chronological order.
• Ankara Castle — The exact date the castle in Altındağ was built is unknown; it is known that the Roman emperor Caracalla had its walls repaired in AD 217. Repaired in the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods, it is the historic core of Ankara, with narrow streets inside and views of the city from the walls.
• Arslanhane (Ahi Şerafeddin) Mosque — A Seljuk mosque at the southern end of the castle, dating from the 13th century, with wooden columns and a wooden ceiling; it is one of the oldest and most important buildings in the city.
• Hamamönü — This district takes its name from the Karacabey Hammam in the complex of Karaca Bey, the Beylerbey of Anatolia, in the 1430s.
• Temple of Augustus — The temple beside the Hacı Bayram Mosque was built in the name of the emperor Augustus in about 25–20 BC. Its walls bear the Res Gestae inscription, known as the Monumentum Ancyranum, which recounts Augustus's deeds; it has been protected with the support of the World Monuments Fund.

Practical Information for Visiting Kalecik

Suggested time

1 day

Best time to visit

Autumn (grape harvest)

Places to visit

5 places

• 🍷

  Kalecik Karası Şarabı (Kalecik Karası red wine)

  A red wine made from Kalecik Karası grapes, which give Kalecik its name. It is one of Türkiye's most valued local wines. With its light body and fruity character, it has won international awards.

• 🍯

  Pekmez (grape molasses)

  Grape molasses is one of Kalecik's most traditional products. It is made by boiling fresh grape juice until it thickens, and is eaten at breakfast in the winter months.

• 🍳

  Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)

  Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a casserole, is also an important dish on traditional tables in Kalecik.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Kalecik

• 🍇

  Viticulture and Winemaking Tradition

  Kalecik has a viticulture tradition going back thousands of years. Kalecik Karası grapes are believed to have been grown in the region since the Hittite period. Festivals held at harvest time keep this tradition alive.

• 🏞️

  Life on the Banks of the Kızılırmak

  The fertile soil provided by the Kızılırmak has created a farming-based way of life in Kalecik. Fishing and farming continue side by side on the riverbank.

Local Products

• Kalecik Çöreği (Kalecik pastry) — Kalecik Çöreği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 7 October 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 560). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Kalecik Municipality.
• Kalecik Ekmeği (Kalecik bread) — Kalecik Ekmeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 October 2020 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 559). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Kalecik Municipality.
• Kalecik Karası Üzümü (Kalecik Karası grapes) — Kalecik Karası Üzümü was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 July 2007 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 89). Product group: processed and unprocessed fruit and vegetables and mushrooms. Registered by: Kalecik Municipality.

Economy

Kalecik's economy is based on viticulture, winemaking and agriculture. Wines made from Kalecik Karası grapes are among Türkiye's most valued local wines. Fruit and vegetable cultivation takes place in the Kızılırmak valley. Grape molasses and raisin production are also important sources of income.

How to Get to Kalecik

Kalecik is 72 km from Ankara city centre. It is reached by the Ankara–Çankırı road. There are regular minibus services from Ankara.

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Kalecik: Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Your Trip

• 🍽️ What to Eat in Kalecik Famous dishes and local products →
• 🗺️ Things to Do in Ankara The province's 21 best places and all its districts →

Other Districts of Ankara

• Akyurt 7 places İdris Mountain, Akyurt Castle and Karacaören Köyü Kaya Mezarları
• Altındağ 11 places Ankara Castle, Hacı Bayram Mosque and Temple of Augustus
• Ayaş 6 places Ayaş Hot Springs, Ayaş Castle and Ayaş Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami)
• Balâ 10 places Kesikköprü Dam, Afşar Höyüğü (Afşar Mound) and Yavaşlar Höyüğü (Yavaşlar Mound)
• Beypazarı 13 places Hırkatepe, Beypazarı Historic Houses and Taş Mektep (Stone School)
• Çamlıdere 13 places Şeyh Ali Semerkandi Tomb, Çamkoru Forest Camp and Çamlıdere Fossil Forest
• Çankaya 7 places Anıtkabir, Kocatepe Mosque and Cengelhan Rahmi M. Koç Museum
• Çubuk 10 places Karagöl Lake, 1402 Battle of Ankara Battlefield and Çubuk Dam (Çubuk-1 Dam)
• Elmadağ 4 places Vezir Pınarı Fountain, Elmadağ Ski Centre and Elmadağ Ammunition Factory Historic Site
• Etimesgut 5 places Eryaman Gölbaşı Park, Turkish Air Force Museum (Aviation Museum) and Etimesgut Atatürk Forest
• Evren 4 places Evren Castle Ruins, Evren Çayı Valley and Evren Central Mosque
• Gölbaşı 4 places Mogan Lake, Eymir Lake and Tulumtaş Cave
• Güdül 12 places Kirmir Stream Valley, Sorgun Pond and Güdül Canyon
• Haymana 7 places Haymana Thermal Baths, Gavurkale Ruins and Battle of Sakarya Historical National Park
• Kahramankazan 7 places Mürted Air Base, Kazan Museum and Saray Höyük
• Keçiören 5 places Estergon Castle (Keçiören), Keçiören Botanical Park and Kalaba Park and Pond
• Kızılcahamam 4 places Soğuksu National Park, Kızılcahamam Hot Springs and Martyrs' Tree
• Mamak 7 places Mount Hüseyin Gazi, Hatip River and Mamak Castle (Kayaş Castle)
• Nallıhan 9 places Sarıyar Dam, Nallıhan Bird Sanctuary (Davutoğlan Bird Sanctuary) and Rainbow Hills (Girl's Hill)
• Polatlı 10 places Gordion Ancient City, Battle of Sakarya and Gordion Ancient City (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Pursaklar 3 places Saray Köşkü Park, Pursaklar Municipality Culture Centre and Altınova Park
• Sincan 5 places Temelli, Sincan Tulip Festival Area and Temelli Mound
• Şereflikoçhisar 7 places Tuz Lake (Tuz Gölü), Koçhisar Castle and Şereflikoçhisar Castle
• Yenimahalle 5 places Atatürk Forest Farm (AOÇ), Ankara Zoo and 75th Year Ankara Hippodrome