MKE Arms Factory Museum
A museum belonging to the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) factory, an important part of Kırıkkale's industrial history.
View on map6 places to visit in the central district of Kırıkkale: MKE Arms Factory Museum, Kızılırmak River and Kırıkkale City Museum. Plan your trip with local food, practical tips and transport information.
Introduction
Kırıkkale lies in Central Anatolia, about 75 km east of Ankara, on the bank of the Kızılırmak River. The city is a direct product of the Republic’s drive for industrialisation.
History
Foundations of an ammunition factory were laid in the 1920s on land belonging to Kırık village. Its position on the Ankara–Sivas railway and its location in the interior of the country, away from the frontiers, made it decisive. In 1929 Kırıkkale, then a town of about 3,000 people, grew rapidly as people came to work in the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE) factories. It became a municipality in 1941 and gained provincial status on 21 June 1989. The Tüpraş Kırıkkale Refinery, established in later years, strengthened the city’s industrial identity.
Climate
Kırıkkale has a continental climate: winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and dry.
Transport
Kırıkkale lies on the Ankara–Sivas high-speed rail line; it can be reached from Ankara in about half an hour. Mainline trains, including the Ankara–Kayseri service and the Eastern Express, also stop in the city.
History and Culture
Hasandede Mosque was built in 1605, with a square plan and constructed of dressed stone.
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