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7 places to visit in the Mamak district of Ankara: Mount Hüseyin Gazi, Hatip River and Mamak Castle (Kayaş Castle). Plan your trip to Mamak with local food, practical tips and transport information.

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Mamak is one of the districts of Ankara province. The district is closely associated with the military unit and prison it has housed. The district covers an area of 321 km² and has an average elevation of 1,159 metres above sea level.

History

The founding of the Mamak district dates to the second half of the 1200s, and its founders were the Ahis. In the Roman period, the water for the famous Roman baths came from the Roman Water Gallery in Kayaş. In the Roman period Mamak was the eastern gate of Ankara, and milestones from the roads were found near Ortaköy. After the Ottoman conquest of Ankara, the Mamak region began to be known as the ‘fruit orchard of the region’. Mamak separated from Çankaya by a law adopted on 29 November 1983 and became a district.

Geography

Mamak district is bordered by Altındağ to the north, Elmadağ to the east, Bala to the south and Çankaya to the west.

History and Culture

Mamak became a district in 1983 after separating from Çankaya. The belde of Kutludüğün and Bayındır joined the district in 2008. The founders of Mamak were the Ahis; the farm was managed under the name Ahi Mamak.

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Places to Visit in Mamak

  • 2 Historic
  • 1 Ancient City
  • 3 Nature
  • 1 Other
Mount Hüseyin Gazi - Mamak Photo: Mihal Orela (CC BY 3.0) · Source
Nature

Mount Hüseyin Gazi

Archaeological finds that shed light on the history of Mamak were uncovered in research carried out by Max Pfannenstiel.

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Nature

Hatip River

An important water source in the Mamak area, which once housed dozens of water mills in the Ottoman period.

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Historic

Mamak Castle (Kayaş Castle)

Castle ruins on the hill in the Kayaş quarter, dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods. The plain of Ankara can be seen from the castle.

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Nature

Hatip River Valley

The valley formed by the Hatip River, which flows through Mamak, is a suitable route for nature walks with its green areas and walking trails.

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Historic

Cebeci Asri Cemetery and Martyrs' Cemetery

The Cebeci Asri Cemetery, where martyrs of the War of Independence and statesmen are buried, lies within the boundaries of Mamak. It is a place of historical and spiritual significance for visitors.

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Ancient City

Kayaş Roman Water Gallery

A water gallery from the Roman period in Kayaş. The water for the Roman baths came from here.

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Other

Ankara–Kayaş Suburban Line

A suburban railway line established in 1929, one of Ankara's first public transport lines.

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Places to Visit Around Ankara Province

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While you are in Mamak, you can also see the highlights of Ankara province. These places are in other districts.

  • 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 Mamak

Suggested time
1 day
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn
Places to visit
7 places

What to Eat in Mamak

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  • Ankara Tava (lamb and pepper casserole)

    Ankara tava, lamb cooked with onions and peppers in a casserole, is on the menus of traditional restaurants in Mamak.

  • Etli Ekmek (meat flatbread)

    Thin dough topped with minced meat and spices and baked in a stone oven, etli ekmek is a widespread dish in Mamak.

  • Tarhana Çorbası (yoghurt, tomato and flour soup)

    Tarhana, made by mixing yoghurt, tomato and wheat flour and drying the mixture, is an essential soup for winter tables.

Culture, Local Products and Economy of Mamak

  • Migrant Mosaic

    Mamak is a cosmopolitan district that has received migrants from different regions of Türkiye. Communities from the Black Sea, Eastern Anatolia and Southeastern Anatolia have created a rich cultural mosaic.

  • Hüseyin Gazi Tradition

    Mount Hüseyin Gazi has had spiritual significance for local people for centuries. The tomb at the summit and its surroundings are used as a place of visit.

Local Products

  • Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği (sourdough bread) — Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 August 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 827). Product group: bakery and pastry products, dough products, desserts. Registered by: Mamak Municipality.
  • Mamak Ravak Yoğurdu (Mamak Ravak yoghurt) — Mamak Ravak Yoğurdu was registered as a protected geographical indication on 6 August 2021 (TÜRKPATENT registration no. 828). Product group: dairy products other than cheese and butter. Registered by: Mamak Municipality.

Economy

Mamak's economy is based on the services sector, small-scale industry and trade. The district has various industrial estates and trade centres. In recent years, the face of the district has been changing through urban transformation projects.

How to Get to Mamak

Mamak is one of the central districts of Ankara. All neighbourhoods are reached by EGO buses and dolmuş minibuses. Kayaş railway station is on the TCDD suburban line.

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Mamak: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top things to see in Mamak?

The 7 highlights in Mamak are Mount Hüseyin Gazi, Hatip River, Mamak Castle (Kayaş Castle), Hatip River Valley, Cebeci Asri Cemetery and Martyrs' Cemetery, Kayaş Roman Water Gallery and the Ankara–Kayaş Suburban Line.

What should I eat in Mamak?

Ankara Tava, Etli Ekmek and Tarhana Çorbası are the standout dishes on Mamak's tables.

What is Mamak famous for?

Mamak is known for Mamak Kutludüğün Ekşi Maya Ekmeği and the Migrant Mosaic. Registered with TÜRKPATENT as a protected geographical indication product.

How do I get to Mamak?

Mamak is one of the central districts of Ankara. All neighbourhoods are reached by EGO buses and dolmuş minibuses. Kayaş railway station is on the TCDD suburban line.

How much time should I set aside for a visit to Mamak?

Suggested time for the visit: 1 day. Best time to visit: spring and autumn.

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